DESCRIPTION:
Album: Singers Reggae Showcase (Tony Tuff & Brethren) (2000)

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Derrick states, "As a youth, I used to make drums out of 'cheese' pans and guitar strings out of fishing line. All the little children would gather around to watch me play. I would listen to artists like the Jackson 5, Chilites and Stylistics and would emulate them, trying to outreach their vocal range. I also had to go to church and sing on the choir every Sunday or else I wouldn't get any Sunday dinner."

Derrick's musical career began not as a singer/songwriter but as a drummer, playing with the Bare Essentials (Errol Lee). During those early years, he played with several bands including 7th Extension and Love. The bands played mostly on the North Coast doing the hotel circuit. During his sets, the audience would request they wanted to see more of the drummer; they loved his falsetto style of singing and his high-pitched voice, There began the singing career of Derrick Lara.

Derrick's first single was a song titled "What We Need." In 1972 he recorded his first album "Right on Time" with "Tonka" (Joe Gibbs). He later recorded a cover version of Michael Jackson's "Don't Stop Till You Get Enough," alongside Trinity. It made the top ten on the North American charts for weeks.

By 1983, the harmonizing group, The Tamlins had several number one hits to their credit, especially the Nina Simone classic, "Baltimore", which turned out to be one of reggae music's historical anthems. The group had been working with Sly & Robbie (Taxi) at the time and Derrick had made several memorable appearances on Taxi Connection shows, which were a big hit in the early eighties. The Tamlins were in need of a vocalist and with the Taxi Connection link, they met Derrick Lara and have been together ever since.

The Tamlins released their album, "No Surrender,". Derrick has no intentions of leaving the Tamlins, however, as he explains, "the Tamlins are known for their "lover's rock" and "rhythm and blues" reggae renditions. I embraced the teachings of Rastafari and made it my "Way of Life" from a very young age, and I feel that there is a part of me that loves culture -- love things of nature, love Jah-- which I can only express in song. My solo career is giving me the opportunity to do just that --express another side of my true nature. Well, we are sure he won't forget that the ladies love when he performs his rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire's mega hit, "Reason".

Derrick Lara's second album, "Motherless Child," (Jwyanza, 1992). The title track is dedicated to his mother and father who passed away when he was two days old and four years old, respectively. He wrote all the tracks on the album, a combination of roots and culture and lover's rock music. He hopes to re-release this album in the near future.

Derrick continues to work with reggae's icons even to this day and is well respected by his peers. In 1994 he recorded an album, "Just A Vibes," (Star Trail) with Beres Hammond. He has also recorded songs for producers Tappa Zukie and Red Rose. He works alongside long-standing friend, Richard Bell (Star Trail), helping to guide the careers of artists such as Everton Blender, Anthony B, Iyashanti and the rest of the Star Trail Crew. Derrick was the first artist to work with Star Trail and you can also hear his backing vocals on much of Star Trail's recordings.

Mr. Lara, as he is called by his peers, states, "My intention is to please everyone with my music and hope that each individual can learn something about Jah from my music. Music has no limitations - every time a child is born a new sound is created - so the possibilities are endless. All I hope to do is keep making good music and do that which the Creator has envisioned for me.
(http://www.reggaesource.com/artists/dlara/index.html)