GBL Music was formed in 1985 by three lifelong friends who had a vision to write, create and share their own brand of reggae music with the world. It started following Dennis Gregory’s success in winning the inaugural Capital Radio David Rodigan’s Roots Rockers talent competition in 1984.
Three tracks were recorded by Dennis at Capital Radio’s recording studio. The tracks were presented to Lee Laing who released the first two “After The Party” and “Tonight I’m Staying Here With You” as a double A sided 12” single on his Sound City record label. The success of that single would result in Dennis working with Lee on two following up singles “Love Gonna Last” and “Oh Young Lady” with producer Chris Lane.
It was during the recording session with Lee that Dennis and the GBL crew met bassist Iain “Spy” Austin. That led to the formation of the vocal quartet “One Destiny” who would become the second artist to be managed by GBL Music.
The group would write and rehearse their material in a room above Lee’s Sound City record shop. The first recordings were done at Silent Music recording studio in Southeast London, mixed by Lindell Lewis at Mark Angelo Studio in Central London and released on Greensleeves UK Bubblers label.
GBL Music retained its bond with Lee Laing and a further two original works from One Destiny “Summers’s Here With You” and “Treasure”, both mixed by Jeff Chandler at Easy Street Studio in East London, were released on the Sound City label.
All the while GBL crew looked to spread its wings promoting and marketing tracks by Dennis Gregory and One Destiny, arranging promotional tours around the UK and collaborating with record companies and producers. Most notably Anthony “Sir George” Brightly, who released a number of tracks with One Destiny the most successful being the cover of Chuck Mangione’s “Do You Ever Think About Me” and AJ Franklin of the Chosen Few.
Future collaborations and new material, the ambition and love of the music remains strong.
