Once again here at RBMVibes we find ourselves in a somber mood. Amidst the revelry of the approaching Labor Day weekend we take time out to mourn with the international music community at the loss of Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson. The timing couldn’t be more ironical as Steely, the other half of the iconic Steely and Clevie production team out of Jamaica, West Indies, has worked with some of reggaes most influential artists who we will celebrate with this Labor Day weekend.

Steely first entered the music scenes as a keyboard player. He played with the Roots Radix Band for artists such as Gregory Isaacs. He has successfully worked for over 30 years in the industry shaping what we know today as dancehall. However, he is not defined by this work solely as he has worked with international artists such as the BackStreet Boys.

According to the Jamaica Observer, Steely died from complications related to pneumonia in a New York hospital. He had most recently recovered from a kidney transplant and complications related to that procedure as well. This all happened in less than a year as the kidney transplant was only done last December 2008. Steely laid to his final rest on Tuesday, September 1, 2009. He was only in his 50’s.

Artists are reaching out with their condolences from Jamaica and here in the States. Posts can be found on the web pages of artists like Sean Paul. Well wishes from radio personalities, such as Steelie Bashment-a selector named after being inspired by Steely- can be found as well in numerous blogs and on Twitter by artists like Wyclef Jean. Here at RBMVibes we sincerely say rest in peace.

For those of you who don’t feel you know his work here are a few of Steely and Clevie’s hits:

Steely and Clevie’s Taxi Riddim