The Bleechers

Jamaican harmony trio the Bleechers (Leo Graham, Wesley Martin, and a third singer known only as Sammy) formed around 1968, when the group reportedly did some studio work for producer J.J. Johnson. The Bleechers are best remembered, though, for a handful of tracks they did with legendary producer Lee "Scratch" Perry a year later, including "Check Him Out," which was a literal musical advertisement giving directions to a record store that Perry owned at the time on Charles Street in Kingston. For all its utilitarian and commercial intent, "Check Him Out" was a cheerful and infectious tune with wonderful harmonies from the group. When the group disbanded, Graham continued to record for Perry, including the track "Voodooism," which was to give its name to a CD anthology of Perry-produced Black Ark rarities some 30 years later. ~ Steve Leggett