Ijahman Levi

Ijahman Levi
Ijahman Levi at Chiemsee Reggae Summer 2013
Background information
Birth name	Trevor Sutherland
Born	21 June 1946 Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica
Origin	Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica
Genres	Reggae
Instruments	Vocals, Guitar
Labels	Island Records

Ijahman Levi (born Trevor Sutherland: 21 June 1946, in Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica) is a reggae musician. In his early years, Levi was tutored by musician and vocal teacher, Joe Higgs. His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious conversion to the Rastafari movement when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. It and the following records preach Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.

Levi moved with his parents to the United Kingdom in 1963. In 1966 and 1969 he released two singles under the name of The Youth. The first one was in 1966 for Polydor 56121 "As Long As There is Love" c/w "Your One and Only Man", both covers of Jimmy Ruffin and Otis Redding songs. Ijahman has mentioned he is a great Otis Redding fan. They were cut in a typical mod R&B soul style. His second single was for Deram 226, released 17 January 1969, and featured "Meadow of My Love" c/w "Love Me or Leave Me". The B-side was self-written, being credited to 'Sutherland'. In 1985 Levi released "I Do", a duet he recorded with his second wife, Madge. The song performed well on the British reggae charts, reaching top position. Ijahmans most famous composition is " JAH heavy load" recorded & released in 1976.