Dave & Ansell Collins

Dave and Ansell Collins were a powerhouse Jamaican reggae duo who blasted onto the scene in the early 1970s with their infectious, organ-driven sound. Fronted by the fiery toasting (rap-style vocals) of Dave Barker and anchored by Ansell Collins’ slick keyboard chops, the pair became legends with their 1971 UK No. 1 hit "Double Barrel," a gritty, chant-heavy banger that crossed over to global audiences. They followed it up with another smash, "Monkey Spanner," which also cracked the UK Top 20. Produced by reggae icon Winston Riley (of The Techniques fame), their tracks blended reggae, rocksteady, and proto-dancehall energy, making them staples of sound systems and a blueprint for future genres like jungle and dubstep.

Though their time in the spotlight was relatively short, Dave and Ansell Collins left an outsized legacy. Tracks like "Double Barrel" and "Monkey Spanner" remain enduring favorites, sampled and remixed by artists across decades—evident in modern reworks by acts like Ed Solo and The Phibes. Their raw, upbeat style and Barker’s charismatic vocal swagger cemented them as pioneers who helped bring reggae’s rebel spirit to the mainstream.

Genres

Rocksteady

Ska

Reggae

Northern Soul

Dancehall

Dub

Roots Reggae

Reggae Fusion

Lovers Rock

Ragga

Jamaican Dancehall

Jamaican Ska

Related Artists

Jimmy Cliff

Gregory Isaacs

The Upsetters

The Skatalites

Desmond Dekker

The Wailers

Alton Ellis

John Holt

The Ethiopians

Augustus Pablo

Bob Marley & The Wailers

Derrick Morgan

Latest Release

Double Barrel (Ed Solo Remix)

Dave & Ansell Collins•

Ed Solo

Single - Released June 4, 2021