Tony Chin—aka Albert Valentine Chin—is a cornerstone of reggae guitar. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he helped define the genre’s rhythmic backbone through his work with Soul Syndicate, one of the most prolific backing bands in reggae history.
Career Highlights:
- Started as a drummer before switching to guitar in the late 1960s.
- Co-founded the Riddim Raiders, which evolved into Soul Syndicate.
- Played on iconic tracks with artists like Burning Spear, Johnny Clarke, Horace Andy, and Augustus Pablo.
- His guitar style helped shape the “flyers” sound popularized by Bunny Lee in the mid-1970s.
- Later joined Big Mountain, contributing to their hit “Baby I Love Your Way.”
In 2024, Chin released Tribute To The Late Delroy Wilson, a heartfelt album honoring the Studio One legend. It’s a beautiful nod to the roots of reggae and a testament to Chin’s enduring respect for the genre’s pioneers.
Tony Chin’s musical style is the heartbeat of classic reggae rhythm guitar—subtle, hypnotic, and deeply rooted in Jamaica’s sonic traditions. Here’s what makes his sound so distinctive:
Signature Techniques
- Chin blends percussive, palm-muted strokes with smooth, syncopated strumming to create a groove that locks in with the bass and drums. “Flyers” rhythm: He helped pioneer this style in the mid-1970s, characterized by a shimmering high-hat pattern and long, skanking guitar strokes that glide over the beat
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