#32: It’s Alright by Crack Of Dawn

City: London, ON
Radio Station: CJBK
Peak Month: July 1976
Peak Position in London ~ #7
Peak position in Vancouver ~ did not chart
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 ~ did not chart
YouTube: “It’s Alright”

Crack of Dawn were an R&B/funk outfit who were quite popular in the live dance clubs. The band was formed in Kingston, Jamaica, consisting entirely of Jamaican musicians. The Crack of Dawn relocated from Jamaica to Toronto, Ontario in the mid-70’s. In 1974 the band attracted interest from Columbia Records of Canada’s head of A&R Bob Gallo. They were signed to the label in January 1975. They were the first Canadian black band to ever sign with a major label.

In 1975, the Crack of Dawn released a single titled “The Key”, which didn’t appear on their debut album. Next, they released the single “Keep the Faith”. The band released an album in 1976, the self-titled Crack of Dawn. At the recording studio were original bandmates Mark Smith (on bass guitar), Carl Harvey (on lead and bass guitar), Alvin Jones (on saxophone, flute and organ), Trevor Daley (on trombone and backing vocals), and Rupert Harvey (on rhythm guitar and saxophone). By 1976, Crack of Dawn had added Jamaican Glen Ricketts (lead vocals and guitar), Carl Otway (drums and backing vocals), and Dwight Gabriel (on trumpet and backing vocals) and Jack Sobotta (on keyboards and synthesizer). All were Jamaican-Canadians. Carl Harvey was also a member of Bunny Lee’s reggae house band The Aggrovators, who recorded in Jamaica.

The single from the album was “It’s Alright”.

“It’s Alright” is a song proclaiming a positive vibe. The lyrics repeat: “It’s alright, feeling this feeling. This love I’ve got for you, got my whole body reeling.” The pulsing rhythm invited people to get up on the dance floor at the local disco.

“It’s Alright” peaked at #7 in London (ON), #15 in Winnipeg (MB), #28 in Windsor (ON), and charted in Montreal.

Late in the summer of ’76, “Boobie Ruby” charted in Levis (PQ) and Montreal.

In 1977, Jacek Sorbotta left to join the Dominic Troiano Band. Eventually, he returned to Jamaica.

In 1981, Rupert Harvey formed the progressive roots-reggae band Messenjah, based in Kitchener, Ontario.

In 1980-81, Carl Harvey joined Toots and the Maytals. He re-joined Toots and the Maytals in 1990 and has almost continuously been with the band, except for a break from 2014-2015. Alvin Jones and Trevor Daley formed Version Records.

In 1980, Dwight Gabriel reformed Crack of Dawn. In 1981, Crack of Dawn released a second album titled Horizons. A single, “If You Want to Groove” got a little airplay.

In 1982, Carl Harvey and Carl Otway formed a band called Sweet Ecstasy with Debbie and Joanne Johnson. The group released a disco tune titled “Pull Our Love Together”, and a reggae treatment of a medley of Christmas tunes. In 1984, Carl Otway and Carl Harvey formed C+C to record a single titled “Go For It”.

In 1982, Carl Harvey, Glen Ricketts, and Dwight Gabriel were in the recording studio to record Jay W. McGee’s funk/soul album Over and Over.

Ricketts returned to Jamaica and performed as a solo artist before leaving the music business.

January 29, 2025
Ray McGinnis

References:
Mike Bedard and Dennis Herron, “Crack of Dawn,” Canadianbands.com, April 11, 2022.

CJBK 1290-AM London (ON) Top 15 | June 25, 1976