Pure Silk is the brainchild of musical entrepreneur, Anthony Brightly. Fed up with having to break new acts from scratch(building them up slowly, gaining the buying public's confidence only to witness their nonchalance), he created an entity that could break new acts and re-introduce know artists via a recognisable body. To this end, PURE SILK, aka Anthony Brightly was born.
Their first single release 'Do You Ever Think About Me' (featuring One Destiny), in 1980, was on of the years best selling reggae singles. Pure Silk went on to feature established artiste like Ken Boothe,Carroll Thompson Tad Hunter, Trevor Hartley, Wendy Walker, Winsome, Winston Reedy to name but a few over four albums and numerous singles.
In 1994, Brightly rediscovered Christanity and married his love of the Lord with his music to create the hybrid, Lovers Gospel. After working with a number of soloists he moved on to recording with choirs. The world renowned L.C.G.C(London Community Gospel Choir) were the first into his east London studios. Then Brightly was introduced to the Brixton base Ruach (Greek for Breath Of God) Choir lead by Peter Francis.
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Anthony Brightly-A Man of Many Talents
Anthony Brightly was born in Hackney, London, England, one of five boys of
Jamaican immigrants George and Millicent Brightly. Growing up in North
London in the 1970s, Anthony was one of the first generation of children of
West Indians who had emigrated to the “Motherland”. During these turbulent
social times, this new immigrant population navigated the British system
resulting in an amalgamation of the British culture and the various West Indian
cultures.
Anthony’s father, George, sought to bring a little of the music from Jamaica to
his new environment and started a sound system which played regularly from
the family house. The “dance” moved from home to local town halls and
eventually George established two of the first reggae clubs in London in the
1960s. George was responsible for organising shows with visiting reggae bands
including Delroy Wilson, The Heptones and American favourite of the time Ben
E. King, and also produced a number of records.
From this rich tradition and following in his father’s footsteps, Anthony and a
group of friends decided to continue his Dad’s sound system and popularised
the “Sir George” Sound System with the reggae vibes of the 1970s. Sir George
Sound System, with Brightly at the helm, grew into one of the leading reggae
sound systems in London, and was responsible for the success of many of the
Lovers Rock records of that time.
With greater exposure to the music industry and leading artists, Brightly, while
still at school, joined as keyboard player with five friends to create Black Slate
in 1974, an early pioneer of UK based reggae music in the realm of Steel Pulse
and Aswad. Black Slate saw early success with “Sticks Man” a social
commentary on the growing revolt of black youth against the confines of the
British society in 1977. “Sticks Man” soon became theanthem for black youth
in the 1970s and sold over a million copies in Europe. The band also provided
backing for a number of visiting reggae artists including Delroy Wilson, Leroy
Smart, The Heptones, Dennis Brown and Johnny Clark. A few years later Black
Slate broke the colour barrier with the ever popular tune “Amigo” which
featured one of the first UK based black groups on the hugely popular prime
time TV show “Top of the Pops” in 1980, and went on to sell over 2 million
copies world wide and is still selling to this day. Following this success, the
band went on aworld tour, with legendary artistes including Peter Tosh, Jimmy
Cliff,The Wailers and many more.
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Following the success of Black Slate and Sir George Sound System, Brightly
established the Sir George Label and Recording Studio with its first release of
the hugely popular “Ooh Boy” by Sandra Reid. The Label went on to produce
over 300 singles and 26 albums. Anthony also launched his band called Pure Silk
which also produced Lovers Rock,Roots Rock Reggae, and Soul Music. Anthony
as Pure Silk produced over 100 records and featured the top artistes of the
time including Caroll Thompson, Winsome, Trevor Hartley, Tad Hunter, One
Destiny, Ken Boothe, Wendy Walker, Toyin Adekale and Winston Reedy to name
just a few.
The ever creative entrepreneur, Brightly went on to diversify into another
sphere of the music industry with ownership of a series of top nightclubs in
Londonincluding Oasis, Maksims, Pegasus and Chimes Nightclub. Chimes based
in East London continued as a leading reggae and soul nightclub well into the
1990s but was later deterred by the increasing youth violence of that time.
Seeing the direct effects of such violence, Brightly partnered with the London
Metropolitan Police Force in “Operation Trident”, a programme to combat
black on black violence which was launched at the Chimes Nightclub, a first for
such an initiative, which sought to closely relate the programme to those most
affected.
At this time, Brightly asked the popular presenter Angie Greaves and DJ Mistri
to host amusical programme from the Chimes venue called “Upstart” for a
cable TV channel B.V.TV, which sought to highlight Black British musical and
gospel talent. This venture led to Anthony’s rediscovery of Christianity in 1994,
and following a short break from the music scene, he went on to produce a new
musical hybrid “Lovers Gospel”, recording with soloists and choirs including the
world renowned London Community Gospel Choir.
In 1998, Brightly established PROMPT (Purpose, Respect, Obedience, Manners,
Punctuality, Training), a charity which provided evening and weekend classes
for children aged 5 to 15 to assist with their success through the educational
system and to help give children a helping hand as they grow up.
At the age of 40, looking to start a new chapter in his life, Brightly sold his UK
interests and relocated his family to the beautiful tiny island of Antigua in the
Caribbean. Drawn by the beautiful climate and peaceful lifestyle, Brightly
encouraged the visit of friends and colleagues and ultimately saw an
opportunity to develop homes for those wishing to follow in his footsteps and
relocate to the island. Foresight International Ventures was born in 1999, in
partnership with three former colleagues, where stunningly scenic land was
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purchased to construct custom made properties for fellow expatriates.
Buckleys Heights Country Club, a multi million dollar complex including
swimming pools, spa, tennis courts and a selection of one/two bedroom
apartments and three bedroom villas, is currently under construction following
the completion of the main club house in 2004. Already over 25% of the two
and three bedroom apartments have beensold at the construction phase with
the complex due for completion in late 2008.
Following his marriage to his teenage sweetheart, the wedding celebrations
evolved into days and nights of parties on the beach, gatherings at Anthony’s
home and other beautiful locations to entertain the many guests and long-
standing DJ friends from the UK, who came to Antigua for the wedding.
Seeing the potential of Antigua and Barbudaas an event location, Brightly drew
on his own experiences as a DJ with Sir George and with RJS DJ events in the
Mediterranean, and recognised that Antigua would be the ideal location to
stage the first of similar RJS events in the Caribbean. “DeJam Festival” was
born in 2004 with partner Patrick Berry of Choice FM and Chris Sweeny of RJS
and has attracted hundreds of “DeJammers” for 7 days of beach parties,
catamaran cruises, themed parties and a DJ Awards and Gala Dinner for the
many top UK and European DJs whotravel to the island to play at the events.
In its fifth year, the DeJam Festival is set to become the leading DJ festival in
the Caribbean.
With his renowned gift and successful flair for developing profitable business
opportunities in both the UK and the Caribbean, Brightly is partnering with a
leading bank in Antigua to establish the Foresight Wealth Management Fund
which allows likeminded investors to contribute to the Fund and benefit from
competitive returns while assisting with the development of lucrative
Caribbean niches.
From DJ to music producer, million dollar record selling band member to
nightclub owner, festival organiser to venture capitalist, Anthony Brightly is a
man to follow. Join him in his escapades at the DeJam Festival from September
26 to October 3 2008 (www.dejamfestival.com) or start living yourdreams by
purchasing your luxurious dream home at the Buckleys Heights Country Club
(www.foresight-intl.com). The adventure continues!
Anthony Brightly - Pure Silk - Black Slate -Sir G's Friend Space (Top 7)
Anthony Brightly - Pure Silk - Black Slate -Sir G has 191 friends.
GOOD TO READ ABOUT YOUR SUCCESS OVER THE YEARS..HAVE YOU GOT A TAPES FROM THE BLACK SLATE DAYS?..LIKE UNRELEASED STUFF?..WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A LISTEN...I AM ONLINE TONIGHT AND EVERY THURSDAY NITE BETWEEN 9PM AND 12 MIDNIGHT ON WWW. STAGERADIOLIVE. COM ROOTS ROCK REGGAE SHOW ONE LOVE
Life's magic is a lot like a swift flowing river. No matter how long you've overlooked it or unwittingly swam against it, the instant you stop struggling you're back in the flow, hat down low, coolest cat on the block.
In other words, your so-called "baggage," ain't no thang.
Well, Well, What took sooooooooh LONG?!!!! I cud say plenti, but u kno I loves you same way....... leh me c if dis connektion mek ah diffrence to de space ah time Btween our communications......innit doh!!! glad to hear from you, it would be even betta to bless my eyes on dat smile sumtime soon......love to you, Deb, Mum & all....Happy New Year ...Ixxx
I hope all your dreams and goals work out for you in 2008. Make it your best year ever. Your friend Brixton Hitman....... www.brixtonhitman.com www.englishpoundradio.com
Yes Mr Lovers Rock welcome to my space.Thanks for all the great music over the years. Lets chat soon Anthony. Keep making that good music www.brixtonhitman.com www.englishpoundradio.com
