| Ijahman Levi | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Name: | Trevor Sutherland |
| Birth Date: | 1946 6, df=y |
| Birth Place: | Christiana, Manchester, Jamaica |
| Instrument: | Vocals, Guitar |
| Genre: | Reggae |
| Label: | Island Records |
Ijahman Levi (born Trevor Sutherland: 21 June 1946) is a Jamaican-British reggae musician. In his early years, Levi was tutored by musician and vocal teacher, Joe Higgs.[1] His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious conversion to Rastafari when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. It and his following records preach Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.
Levi moved with his parents to the United Kingdom in 1963.[2] In 1966 and 1969, he released two singles under the name of The Youth. The first one was in 1966 for Polydor 56121 "As Long As There is Love" c/w "Your One and Only Man", both covers of Jimmy Ruffin and Otis Redding songs. Ijahman has mentioned he is a great Otis Redding fan. They were cut in a typical mod R&B soul style. His second single was for Deram 226, released 17 January 1969, and featured "Meadow of My Love" c/w "Love Me or Leave Me". The B-side was self-written, being credited to 'Sutherland'. He recorded 'Fire Fire' c/w 'Jesus Keepeth My Soul' as The Youth on Pama in 1971. His next three singles were 'I'm A Levi' and 'Jah Heavy Load' on Concrete Jungle followed by 'Chariot Of Love' on Organisation all produced by Dennis Harris in 1976 before signing to Island Records. In 1985 Levi released "I Do", a duet he recorded with his second wife, Madge. The song performed well on the British reggae charts, reaching top position.[1] Ijahman’s most famous composition is "Jah Heavy Load" recorded and released in 1976.