Ralston (Stamma) Haughton

     Ralston "Stamma" Haughton is a musician/music composer, artist, and the owner, president/CEO, producer and musical director for his companies Marston Recording Corporation USA, Marston Recording Corporation Ja. Ltd, Marston Recording Corporation Uk Ltd., Tonhaugh Publishing Inc USA, and Tonhaugh Publishing Inc Ja. Ltd . A soldier for Truth and Right.

Ralston Stamma Haughton was born in 1951, at 44 Barnnet Street, Montego Bay, Jamaica, about two feet from the Brother Sam Pocomania church, of which, on the night of his birth the Pocomania church was singing and playing their drums bringing Stamma into this world with music (See pictures of Stamma's birth house below). He would start to play music on his mother pots and pans when he hear the Poco church music. He would listen to the Rastafari Nyahbinghi music close by at Railway Lane in Montego Bay, and when he moved to the hills of Irwin he would listen to the sounds of the Rastafari Nyahbinghi music and Skatalites music coming over the hills and valleys of Granville and Tucker in the nights dreaming of being a musician. At age nine, Stamma and his friends, Slyvester Holt and Rocky, would play music in a old car and also made their own musical instruments out of wash pan and cans.

He has always loved and studied every type of music.  To him the varieties of music are in truth one, for they come from one source, the Almighty to his heart.  He felt guidiance and protection from the Almighty, whom has taught him "Truth"and showed him the power therein. He was a student at the Montego Bay Senior School, there he was taught by some of the finest teachers Mr. Parkins and Mrs. Cummings, whom prepared him well for the outside world.

Stamma Haughton began in the music business as a teenager. He and two of his friends Junior Gray and Keith Buddle started a singing group called The Thrillers. At age 15, Stamma was taught music at the Montego Bay Boys Club, there he was also taught by "The Honorable Gladston "Pop" Lawreance to be truthful, standup for what is right, and to have perseverance in whatever Stamma is doing.  He learned to play the guitar and he played bass and trombone with the Boys Club orchestra band. Following this, at age 16, Stamma played with the Edward calypso band, playing a three string stand up bass (of which one of the string could not stay in tune), and he also played bass with the Trenton Spence band that play calypso and standard music at the Sun Valley Club in Glendevon, Montego Bay. He also did a unforgetable one night stand with Clarice Crawford and Ruben Alexander jazz band playing string bass. "These were beautiful and good people, whom I have learned a lot from" said Stamma, "I will never forget them." Stamma continued to learn the piano and more theory of music, which introduced him to becoming a music composer writing music for small band. Stamma then became the bandleader of the Busty Brown and the Uptights band. He also put small bands together for Alfonso Christmas morning shows at the Strand Theater in Montego Bay during the 60s,and for about ten years Stamma and his band the Clubbites played for some of the wealthiest Jamaicans at the Montego Bay Yatch Club New Years Eve Balls. 

He moved to Kingston in the 60s, and there he worked in the studios with producer Lee Scratch Perry Upsetters and other top Jamaican artists such as Peter Tosh, (Stamma and Peter were very close) Jimmy Riley, Family Man Barrett, Charlton Barrett and others. Stamma recalled of the times in Kingston when he and Peter Tosh would faced serious struggling times waiting at Randy's recording studio from 9: 00 AM in the morning so that they could play on a recording session, and did not get one until about 1:00 AM that night, of which they made two pounds each. Stamma and Peter Tosh run down the street to buy chicken for their dinner because they did not have any dinner that evening. Many years later Stamma and Peter Tosh were celebrating the signing of Peter Tosh contract with Colombia Records. Stamma also played on many roots reggae music of the sixties (many he did not received any credit for). He was the youngest of the musical pack, and the recording sessions were mainly Family Man Barrett and his brother Charlton, Reggie on guitar, Glen Adams on keyboard, Stamma on bass and DeWhite on drums, of which Lee Perry would switch around musicians on different instruments to get different sounds and feels, those were the days of real reggae music. In the sixties Slim Smith and Stamma were very close up until the day he died. Joe Joe Bennett a great trumpeter, and other musicians such as trumpeter Bobby Ellis, sax player Neugen Clark, drummers Dewhite, Slyvester Holt, Junior Gray, Mikey Boo, Big Foot, Tining Leg, Horse Mouth, Wade, keyboard players, Belly Lloyd, Rhalph Holding, Harold Butler, guitarists, China, Mikey Chung, Devon James, and many other notable Jamaican musicians played with Stamma on several musical occasions of which Stamma give thanks.

Stamma was one of the main bass player in Jamaica, playing on shows with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Dennis Brown, Toots and the Maytals, Ken Boothe, the Blues Busters and many others. Club owners would send for Stamma to play bass for there international artists who was performing at their clubs. At age 18 he was the bass player for Mighty Sparrow, the Calypso King of the world and Sparrow band the Troubadours. He left Jamaica and lived in Trinidad playing on some of Sparrow's albums and toured with him internationally.  He have the ablity to write and compose music for small bands, horn sections, and symphony orchestra. He also had a few arranging tips from Mighty Sparrow music arranger Ed Watson and Eddie Cooper.

After returning from Trinidad, he formed his major band "Stamma and the Clubbites" in 1971 and overwhelmed Montego Bay throughout the 1970's with hard-hitting reggae, calypso, jazz and international music. He played at Club 35, the Casa Montego hotel, the Holiday Inn Resort hotel, and other hotels on the North Coast of Jamaica. "Stamma and the Clubbites” was the champion band of the city of Montego Bay for thirteen years and was the leading group of its kind on the Jamaican North coast.  Stamma recorded the album Montego Beat, of which he donated the funds to the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club. During these time Stamma would be spending time at the Boys Club teaching the boys and girls music, of which, many of them has turn out to be some of the best professional international musicians.

His musical works are, roots rock reggae with a militant tone sounding of Truth and Rights, calypso music, R&B, Gospel music, jazz, classical music, rock music, dance music, latin music and many more genre of music.   He also wrote music scores for orchestra, choral music and all type of music. Stamma is noted as one of the best multi-instrumental session players from the islands, playing bass guitar, string bass, guitar, piano, organ, synthezier keyboards, drums, computer musical programming instruments, and trombone in addition to being a vocalist. Stamma insists on keeping things honest and true.  "I believe in Truth and Right," he said.  "Before I do anything, I find out the truth, and then I do the right.  Truth is everything of everything, do good and good will follow you, just like when you plant a mango tree seed, what comes up? mango, so it is when you plant wrong or negative things that is what will come to you."

Stamma moved from performing to producing music in the early 1970s releasing a song called "Roots In A Roots,"which was recorded at Channel One studio with the help of his friend Barry Biggs.  He also recorded an album and a few artists at Aquarius Studio Kingston.   Then, in 1979 he founded the record company called Sounds of Montego Bay Limited (SOMB).   This consisted of a recording studio and a record store.  Stamma went on to produce many artists and groups including E. T. Webster, Tinga Strewart, Marie Bowie and Harold Butler in 1979 to the early eighties.  He was a key factor in starting and producing many of the top acts in Jamaica , these included A. J. Brown, Nicky O. J, the Ebony Sisters and more.  He further has worked with many of the top recording artists of the nation such as Peter Tosh, Bob Marley, Ernie Smith, Ken Boothe, Twinkle Brothers Hopeton Lewis, and many others during the 60s, 70s, and the 80s.   Lee "Scratch" Perry also produced Stamma as an artist, and recorded Stamma's songs such as "Take Warning" and "Leave the People Alone," which were released in Jamaica and Europe .   Stamma also was signed with Picabou of France, which was affiliated with Warner Brothers.  But the most fulfilling to Stamma was single handedly marketing in 1980, E.T. Webster's "I Do Love You," into the top ten of the New York music charts.  Also during this period, Stamma released several albums of his own, including "Its Jah Ways " and "Let's Love and Unite."

In the late 1982, Stamma moved to the United States , there he performed at several universities, nightclubs and hotels.  He also study recording engineering at the Criteria recording studios in Miami with world renown recording engineer Steve Klein. He worked as a recording engineer,  recording consultant, music director and producer at the Criteria Recording Studios, Miami, Florida and he was producer, artist, arranger, and engineer at Tinkerbell in Ft. Lauderdale .   

 In May of 1984 Stamma founded Marston Recording Corporation.  Marston's first release was a 12' record "Reggae Jam Party", which went #32 on the American Pop Chart.  Stamma Haughton's also released his album "Emerge," an eclectic mix of reggae, soul, and R&B.  The songs combined Stamma's reggae roots with a wide variety of musical styles and is one of the best selling reggae album. He also, recorded Positive Direction in 1989 but did not released it until 1996. 

Stamma realizing that the music business took more than music to operate, took time out to study business, accounting, marketing, music business, filming and video technology including computer technology and music technology.  In 1993, The Almighty revealed "Truth" and the power of Truth to Stamma which he wrote the book "Truth." Stamma acquired a background in law and ventured into the US court system useing the power of Truth to prevailed.  In 1995, he studied advance video and filming application and technology while performing around Sarasota , Florida where he had relocated.  In 1996, Stamma designed and built his new recording and video studio and finally released the album "Positive Direction." This roots reggae album with a roots reggae music, mixture of light dance hall music and such serious topical songs as the anthem "Wars All Over" gain a great deal of recognition.   He also released the first of Marston's vintage reggae albums that were recorded in Jamaica in 1981, Reggae Dancehall , which was mastered in the new studio in Sarasota . A major milestone was the recording and release of Stamma's album Truth in 1997.  This album contained high intensity reggae music with strong bass line and good lyrics, the collection is a jewel by this Jamaican legend and a journey back to his roots.  The album was launched at the Truth Concert in the Sarasota Opera House.  In attendance were Mother Booker (Bob Marley's mother), and Bob Marley's brother Jesse, who both song on stage with him.  Also present, were Woody Harrelson the actor and other movie actors, directors and producers. 

Stamma also marketed internationally many albums he had produced for his company, which did very well in the international market place.    Stamma has produced many radio and television commercials, and has worked with many churches with their music at his recording and video studio in Sarasota, Florida .  He was involved in a few down south gospel, southern harmony christian music, which he produced and recorded.

Music videos and documentaries was also one of his specialty.  Stamma Haughton had made music videos beginning in 1980 in Jamaica, he has continued with the making of videos and have done theTruth video and the Truth Concert video and has made videos of many of his artists, including the new group he produced in Jamaica, Live Wire Crew and also the Skatalites.           

In 1997, Stamma open another branch of his company Marston Recording Corporation UK Limited in Leeds England , which was responsible for the marketing and promotion of his companies products in Europe .  His company has marketed and distributed his music and production all over the world.   Stamma's next move was to sign and produce the Skatalites. The first ska album title "Bashaka" with the Skatalites in year 2000 was released, and well received by the international market. Stamma wrote two of the music for the group. This group was remarkably innovative and emerged on the musical landscape in the early 60s and effectively changed the face of Jamaican music forever.  The album Bashaka was voted by the people in Ragga Magazine France to be the best Ska album of year 2000 in Europe, "Bashaka" album is still one of the best ska album in the world .  Stamma main intention was to preserve the musical culture of Jamaica by recording and promoting the music.   (Stamma also took the Skatalites on a world tour celebrating their thirty-fifth anniversary.)

Some of Stamma's ventures was, the group Live Wire Crew reggae dance hall Ragga Fire CD and video.  The group A Tempo jazz and classical music album "Painting Pictures," of which he played bass, some keyboards, produced, and recorded the album. On this album you will hear Stamma's musical creativeness with his bass playing.  He included the late jazz great pianist Manfredo Fest who was a member of the Sergio Mendez Brazil 66.  Also is the gospel album "His Love" by Tony William was written and produced by Stamma. Stamma also produced many more reggae, rap, hip-hop, R&B, dance and gospel music for his company. One of his musical joy is the album " Inner Templ e " which consist of classical and relaxation/healing music, composed by Stamma Haughton.

Year 2003, Stamma signed agreements with companies in France and Japan for distribution of his products. Stamma set up Marston Recording Corporation Jamaica Ltd and started to build his recording complex so as to help in the upliftment of the Jamaican music culture. Year 2004, Stamma signed agreement with Sony, giving them twenty one albums for distributions.

Year 2005, Stamma Haughton relocated in Miami, Florida, and setup Marston Recording Corporation headquarter. During such time, Stamma had to clean up the infringement of copyrights and piracy situation of his music and productions on the internet and other areas of the music business which was plaguing his company. Stamma filed a few law-suits and pull down a few pirating internet sites, of which, he prevailed triumphantly.

2007, Stamma recorded and release his album 'Truthical Revival', an album with roots foundation reggae music sounding the Truth and Right messages.

Other productions Stamma worked on were infomercial videos, CDs, children music CDs, major live recording events such as the Mennonites 500 voices choir.  He has maintained quality in his work and productions and has gain respect from the community and the international music business as a professional businessperson. Stamma is a world-renowned bass player, composer, arranger, producer recording engineer, and reggae artist with many personal albums and over a hundred produced albums of other artists to his credit. Through out the years, Stamma has been educating himself (with the help of the Almighty) including accounting, business, marketing, law, computer technologies, graphic designing, music technology and many more. There are many more feats Stamma has accomplished in his music and legal background (of which we need a book for that), and he has been presenting Jamaican music to the world with top class quality, proper management and proper business attitude. He has been spreading the Almighty Truth and Right messages to the world.

Presently, Ralston "Stamma" Haughton is owner, president and CEO of Marston Recording Corporation, (USA) Tonhaugh Publishing Inc,(USA), Marston Recording Corporation Jamaica Ltd, Tonhaugh Publishing Inc Jamaica Ltd. and Marston Recording Corporation UK Ltd.

Ralston Stamma Haughton stated, "I give thanks to the Montego Bay Boys' and Girls' Club, because, they have been an instrument in making me what I am today."

Ralston "Stamma" Haughton 17-point Biography

1. Born 1951 in Montego Bay , Jamaica . W.I.

2. 1965 - Study music at the Montego Bay Boys Club.

3. 1968- Move to Kingston and work with many top recording artists of Jamaica, such as Peter Tosh, Lee Scratch Perry, Slim Smith, Dennis Brown, Busty Brown and others.

4. 1969 -  Played bass with the calypso king of the world Mighty Sparrow playing on some of his albums and toured with him internationally.

5. 1971-1982 - Formed Stamma and the Clubbites - one of the finest performing band in Western Jamaica ;   Released first album Montego Beat.

6.  1979-1982 - Founded record company Sounds of Montego Bay, Limited (SOMB).  Produced  many artists.  Released two solo albums: It's Jah Way s   and Lets' Love and Unite.

7. 1982 - Moved to the USA .  Performed at universities, nightclubs and hotels.  Study and worked as recording engineer, recording consultant, music director and producer at Criteria Studios, Miami , Florida, and Tinkerbell in Ft. Lauderdale Produced many recording artists at Criteria. studios

8. 1984 -   Founded Marston Recording Corporation. Released a hit record Reggae Jam Party and a solo album Emerge.  Study business, accounting, marketing, video and filming application, music technology, and computer technology. Producing and recording engineer freelancing all over the USA .

9. 1993 - Moved to Sarasota , Florida . Studied law. Cases: General Motor Acceptance Corporation, Wal-Mart Stores Inc and others court cases.

10. 1996 - Established Marston Recording Corporation recording and video studio in Sarasota, Florida .  Released album  Positive Direction and Marston's first vintage reggae album "Reggae Dancehal" that was recorded in Jamaica in 1981.

11. 1997 - Released album Truth.  Produced and directed Truth Concert. Produced many local Sarasota artists and has made six videos of songs from his albums and numerous videos of his artists. Stamma also established a branch of his company in Leeds , England .

12. 2000 - Produced a ska album with the world famous Skatalites.  The album Bashaka was voted by Europeans to be the best Ska album of year 2000. Stamma took the Skatalites on a world tour which was successful.

13.  2001-  Stamma took on cases in the USA court system, of which, he was successful by using his legal knowledge and the power of "Truth," taking a major racial discrimantion case to the US Supreme Court.

Stamma went into the hills of Montego Bay, Jamaica, producing the group Live Wire Crew.

14. 2003- Stamma started Marston Recording Corporation Jamaica Ltd in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

15. 2004- Stamma signed contract with Sony, giving Sony twenty one albums from his company Marston Recording Corporation for distribution.

16. 2005- Relocated in Miami, Florida USA. Cleaned up the internet infringement of copyright and piracy problems which was plaguing his company by sueing and taking down infringing and fraudulent websites.

17. 2007- Stamma release 'Truthical Revival' reggae album.

Ralston Stamma Haughton is a firm believer in the Almighty God, and is evidence of what the power of the Almighty God and Truth can do. He felt it is his duty to bring the messages of Truth and Right to the world. It would take a book to cover all the accomplishment of Ralston Stamma Haughton because, there are many.