Throwback 45s: Icho Candy – Captain Selassie I

ARTIST: Icho Candy
TITLE: Captain Selassie I
LABEL: Jwyanza
YEAR: 1983

Few songs capture the spirit of early-1980s roots reggae quite like Icho Candy’s Captain Selassie I. Released in 1983 on the Jwyanza label by producers Delroy Stanbury and Mikey Riley, the song has grown into one of the true cult classics.

Built on the much versioned Heavenless riddim, the song unfolds like a personal confession. Icho Candy sings from the perspective of a man who has turned his life around. When he declares, “Once I was a reckless gambler…”, you get the feeling you’re hearing someone who has genuinely found faith after a troubled past.

The song’s spiritual message is at the heart of its appeal. Lines such as “Sailing on, my life goes sailing on” give the tune an uplifting quality that feels almost gospel-inspired. You can easily imagine it being sung in one of the many small churches scattered across rural Jamaica. It’s simple, heartfelt, and deeply moving.

The title, Captain Selassie I, reflects a long-standing Rastafarian tradition of praising and honouring Emperor Haile Selassie I through spiritual symbolism and imagery. That connection gives the song even more weight within roots reggae culture.

A big part of the record’s lasting impact comes from Icho Candy’s unforgettable vocal delivery. His high-pitched, haunting voice has often been compared to singers such as Horace Andy, but the comparison only goes so far. Icho’s style was completely his own. One listen is enough to recognise him instantly.

The track’s hypnotic riddim and meditative feel made it a natural favourite in Jamaican sound system sessions. Over time, Captain Selassie I built a near-legendary reputation among selectors, reggae fans, and collectors alike. Original copies became increasingly hard to find, adding even more mystique to an already beloved record.

Icho Candy recorded other memorable tracks, but Captain Selassie I remains his defining work. For collectors, selectors, and roots reggae lovers, it’s still one of those special records that never loses its magic.