Childhood friends Carlton Hines, Dave Harvey & Paul Mangaroo formed the vocal harmony group Tetrack in 1972 adopting the name from their local sound-system Tetrack HiFi. introduced to Augustus Pablo in 1974 the group went on to record five faultless singles with Pablo: ‘Let’s Get Together’, ‘I’m Not Satisfied’, ‘Let’s Get Started’, ‘Only Jah Jah Know’ and ‘Isn’t It Time To See’ hits which placed them at the forefront of Jamaican harmony vocals. The resulting LP completed for Pablo saw UK release on Greensleeves Records ‘Let’s Get Started’, is a stupendous set from start to finish is and is generally considered a classic of the roots genre.
In 1983 Tetrack recorded their second album. ‘Trouble’ this time for producer Gussie Clarke, with two of the featured tracks seeing UK 12” single release on Greensleeves Records, one of them ‘Trappers’ saw revival action in 2023 when Channel One UK featured it on their on their much sought after ‘Dub From The Vaults’ Greensleeves selection.. Gussie Clarke was quick to identify Carlton Hines songwriting talent and Carlton soon became one of the most successful song writers of the era for Gussie’s pre-eminent Music Works organisation. Penning ‘Rumours’ for Gregory Isaacs, ‘Let Off Sup’m’ for Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown and JC Lodge’s over ground smash hit ‘Telephone Love’ among countless other memorable compositions.
Never having been what could be termed particularly prolific the group visited the recording studios with Pablo on only a handful of occasions over the next few years where they worked with digitally driven rhythms. Tetrack slowly began to drift apart as a vocal entity although Carlton, Paul and Dave always remained firm friends.
“Actually the group just faded away… Paul had some problem with his throat… the result of sinus and such… and a guy named Dennis Creary came into the group through Hopeton Lindo. He was in the group for a short time… we did a few songs: ‘We No Wrap Up’ on Horace Andy’s ‘Every Tongue Shall Tell’ rhythm. I wrote the song inspired by that rhythm. We sang ‘I’m Still Waiting For Your Love’ for a label up on Hope Road (released on the New York based Ayeola label).And, after that, I came to America and Dave came to America too…” Carlton Hines
