Memberz

The original Roots Revival: Clive Ross, Ed Barclay, Wadi Gad, Ernie Smith, Tony Nicholson and Paul Corby at Caravan 1978. Photo by Hugo X. Ernie Smith's recent sad passing recalls his historically significant Canadian reggae band Roots Revival, formed in the late 1970s in Toronto.
Lead Vocals:
Ernie Smith: The lead singer who was a Jamaican superstar and a key figure in Toronto's reggae scene.
Guitarist:
Paul Corby: The guitarist has reminisced about the band's time playing at Tiger's Coconut Grove in Kensington Market, and around Ontario, Quebec and NYC in the late 70's
Bassist:
Clive Ross: He sang and played bass, bringing creativity to both roles simultaneously.
Drummer:
Wadi Daniel: A talented drummer from Trinidad, widely regarded as one of the best drummers in Toronto's music scene.
Jamaican celebrity trumpeter Jojo Bennett would join the band as musical director later that year.
After Ernie Smith returned to Jamaica, Paul Corby and the others carried on with gigs already booked by Olivia Grainge-Walker, as a new band called Bloodfire. Corby has maintained a strong presence in Toronto's reggae community ever since, most recently with Memberz Syndicate, who have just released a new album of original reggae, Set Dem Free.

An icon needs our prayers 🙏🏽 "His music helped shape the reggae genre, inspiring countless artists who followed in his footsteps." - South Florida Caribbean News

ERNIE SMITH HOSPITALIZED
Singer-songwriter Ernie Smith is in critical condition in a Florida hospital ICU after undergoing a “surgical procedure”.

We wish you a speedy and full recovery
💚💛❤️

Ernie Smith

https://www.rootsmusic.ca/2026/04/07/heres-paul-corbys-admirably-understated-review-of-his-own-band-memberz-syndicates-new-album/

Syndicate Memberz Canadian Reggae Reggae

Here’s Paul Corby’s review of his own band, Memberz Syndicate’s, new album Set Dem Free | Roots Music Canada Memberz Syndicate was, until just recently, known as The Memberz, an heirloom Toronto reggae dectet, featuring a cast of singers and musicians encompassing all the gender, race and age variables. Making gradual headway in modernizing a genre rooted in styles that were crystalized almost half a centu...

Enjoy an hour of music and convo with superstar reggae vocalist , followed by an hour of Memberz Syndicate live on FM with selections from their new record SET DEM FREE https://thelovecast.podbean.com/e/april-4-2026-the-lovecast-with-dave-o-rama-ciut-fm-t-dot-dubcast/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRBxatleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5hJGRVB5Qxxt4VTdExPtCW3snOaDy48s-Jed_r5_tFWGtXC3TR3aYyo619I_aem_A7nSZfU5ca3ZXvzjbZj24Q

April 4 2026 - The Lovecast with Dave O Rama - CIUT FM - T-Dot Dubcast | The Lovecast The Lovecast with Dave O Rama - CIUT FM - April 4 2026 - T-Dot Dubcast This week The Lovecast is live from Toronto's CIUT FM studios launching in our new timeslot on Saturday Night from 8pm to 10pm, as Dave O Rama visits his home town of Toronto and invites some new friends on the program from the T...

JUNOS REGGAE RECORDING OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Welcome To Paradise Naomi Cowan (Dreamspace/7th C*ADA)

Ready For You Exco Levi & Kheilstone Kheilstone*ONErpm

Dagga Riddim Cypher Jojo You Made That, Yung 2nuff, Erin B, Topman Meeko, One Don & Enzooo Independent

Deh Yah Kirk Diamond Independent

More Reggae (Funk It Up) Samora & Ammoye Staudenmann*Hapilos

Memberz Syndicate shares with sadness the loss of Ed Pottinger who brought the vivid presence of diasporic culture and celebration to Toronto's local dining scene for four decades with his restaurant The Real Jerk and his musical venue The Jerk Pit. Our condolences go out to Lily and all of his many friends and family.