How did you get involved in music? How old were you then?
I got involve in music while going to primary school at the age of 12 but I didn’t start playing professionally until I was 15. At that time Ansel Collins, a Keyboard player working with Lee Perry, called me to do my first recording session on a song called 'Night Doctor.' That eventually came out as the Upsetters label. I was also 15 when I did my second recording. That recording was Double Barrel by Dave & Ansel Collins. The song was a million seller that went to #22 on the Billboard Hot-100 chart in USA and #1 on the UK chart.

Who inspired you to play the drums?
The great Lloyd Knibbs of the Skatalites. I also liked Al Jackson of Booker T MG's, Earl Young of MFSB who helped to create that great Philly Sound and Mikey Boo Richard of the Now Generation Band

Did you ever get to work with Lloyd Knibbs?
I never got to work with him but we did a seminar at the University of the West Indies organized by Professor Herbie Miller. This was a seminar on the history of Jamaican music and I enjoyed doing that a lot. It was great to see how much Jamaica has contributed to world music.

Do you play any other instruments?
I play a little piano for myself because I had a lot of admiration for Jackie Mittoo of the Skatalites. Jackie was a very important in the development of Reggae.

Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare at Channel 1 Studios in 1975

How did you hook up with Robbie Shakespeare?
I got hooked up with Robbie way back. That was back in the days when I used to go down to Randy's Studio during the day to play on records. Then at night I would play at Tit for Tat Club and Robbie played at Evil People Club which was 3 doors away on Red Hills Road in Kingston. That’s where we met and that’s where our musical partnership began, way back there.

What's the secret that has kept you guys together for so long?
The secret for us being together so long is pretty simple. We have respect for each other, we remember where we come from and when we work together there is no ego.

Robbie Shakespeare & Sly Dunbar

Do you have any idea how many records you have worked on?
The idea of how many songs I have played on – wow – I don’t know. If you count all the versions of original grooves some people say around 200,000. But it can be even more than that.

What were some of your favorites?
I have a lot of favorite recordings. I would have to say the list would include: Double Barrel by Ansel Collins; The Right Time, Mafia, Roof Over My Head by The Mighty Diamonds; Private Life by Grace Jones; Shakey Girl by Jacob ‘Killer’ Miller; Mystic Man by Peter Tosh; Lucky in Love by Mick Jagger; Ain’t Nothing Going On But The Rent by Gwen Guthrie; Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus & Pliers; Rasta Fiesta by Sly Dunbar; House Call by Shabba Ranks; Close To You by Maxi Priest; MPLA by the Revolutionaries; Joker Man by Bob Dylan; and many, many more. I could go on and on and on because there have been so many great songs that I've had the pleasure of working on with so many great artists.

I really want to hear the story of Murder She Wrote by Chaka Demus & Pliers – How did that groove come about?
I was watching the Mento Dance during the Festival Dance show on Jamaican TV. It was Christmas Day in 1991 and I was at home relaxing. Watching the dance really inspired me so that day between 9:00AM and 12:00noon I made over 100 beats. That Murder She Wrote groove was originally an instrumental call Santa Barbara but of all the grooves I made that day my daughter said she like that one the best. That was it and the rest is history.

Where do these amazing grooves come from? What is your inspiration? Where do these rhythmic ideas come from?
Those grooves come from my interaction with people. Sometimes inspiration comes from just looking at and listening to them. Other times it comes from listening to lots of different music. Most of the time it comes from playing with other musician all over the world. The inspiration can be sparked by their moods and even by their comments. Inspiration comes from everywhere there is people.

Did you ever produce music in any other styles?
I have done some R&B, Pop and Rock records.

Why do you think Jamaican Reggae music has been so successful worldwide compared to other Caribbean styles?
I think Reggae has a very appealing feel. That feel is always in the music. The heavy bass line, the image that comes with it and the songs all make an attractive package. I also believe that being physically close to the USA and being able to easily soak up their culture, as happened in the 1950s, helped our music succeed worldwide. Because Jamaican music and American music came from the same roots.

Do you still mostly work in Jamaica?
I still work a lot in Jamaica but I am also working all over the world

Sly working at Anchor Studios with engineer Fatta

You have always been on the bleeding edge of technology. When did you first integrate electronic drums, drum machines and samplers?
I first integrate electronic drums while playing with Peter Tosh in1976. In the early days I used Syndrum, Simmons and DDrums.

On which machine do you make most of the beats?
I still make most of my Dancehall beats on the Akai MPC 4000.

How did you get started with Nuendo?
I got started on Nuendo through a Japanese friend of mine named Kaz. He really loves it and I just liked the way he was working on it. He was so fast and had such a great sound. I have to say I love it too. Nuendo is great.

Are there other Nuendo studios in Jamaica?
Yes, there are some other Nuendo Studios in Jamaica because here we believe in it.

What do you love the most about Nuendo?
Nuendo reminds me of a recording console just the way it’s laid out and I love that. It’s simple and logical so it makes it easy to operate. When it comes to sound that’s another great thing. I think it sounds warm, it sounds like analog tape. That’s maybe the best thing I love about it.

What are you working on now?
As always, we are working on a bunch of things here in Jamaica for our Taxi label. I am also doing some work with some other Jamaican producers.

Is there going to be a Sly & Robbie CD coming out soon?
You know there will be another Sly & Robbie CD coming. Our music is flowing all the time and in every time.