The Cables

Biography

A classic Jamaican rocksteady harmony trio, the Cables (Keeble Drummond, Elbert Stewart, and Vince Stoddard) came together in the late '60s, and although they produced some of the best cuts in the genre, they were woefully under-recorded. Named after Drummond's first name (which was sometimes presented as Keble), the group cut a single ("Good Luck to You") with producer Sonia Pottinger before moving on in 1968 to work with Coxsone Dodd at his legendary Studio One facility. There the Cables tracked two wonderful singles, "Baby Why" and "What Kind of World," along with a dozen or so equally striking tunes, all of which are collected on their only album, What Kind of World. By 1970 the group and Dodd had parted company, and the Cables recorded briefly with both J.J. Johnson and Harry J before disbanding in 1972. Drummond attempted a solo career, but without much success. At their peak, the Cables were equal to any of the great Jamaican vocal trios, and their work is well worth seeking out for fans of the genre.