One day after school, brothers Trevor and Winston heard a sound while waiting at a Kingston bus stop. The sound was music pumping from Mr. Chin’s Sky Rocket Sound System. The variety of Jamaican mento, calypso, American R +B , and country music instantly captivated them. After many visits to Mr. Chin, they convinced their father, Val Blake, to start a sound system. In 1950, St. Thomas had its second revolution with the birth of the Merritone Music Sound System.
Seven decades later, Merritone Music still rocks steady. It is one of Jamaica’s longest running family-owned businesses and the only continuous sound system left from the original sound system era i.e. Merritone Music is the last sound standing.
About
The Merritone Music Story
This document is a compendium of some of the important events, achievements and milestones in the cosmology of Merritone Music since it embarked on its journey in 1950 in St. Thomas.
The Merritone Music Story
IT’S ALL ABOUT MERRITONE
The Merritone Sound
IT’S ALL ABOUT MERRITONE
Val Blake started St. Thomas’s first sound system. This would be one of many firsts in Merritone Music’s illustrious story. His interest in Latin music, dances such as cha cha cha, waltz, and slow love songs created the foundation of Merritone Music’s distinctively identifiable formula.
Val died in 1956, leaving his 4 young sons, Trevor, Winston, Tyrone and Monte to continue Merritone Music’s legacy.
The four Blake brothers stood out as the only sound that featured a family of DJs. And while all brothers played, Winston was the star. Both he and Monte are the two most recognized selectors.
Our core belief
Things of quality have no fear of time
After 70+ years, we are just getting started. We recognize that the quality of our music, the positivity of our message, and the caliber of our team gives us an influential platform from which we can do a lot of good in Jamaica and in the world. We are committed to the following:
To unite and heal
To unite and heal people through the positive vibes of music and dance
Merritone Music etched out a unique space in sound system history with its focus on breaking down social barriers. Sound systems are often viewed as the purview of the people living in the inner city and Merritone is proud to bring joy to the hard working people of Jamaica.
The Merritone Music Story
IT’S ALL ABOUT MERRITONE
In the 1960’s, Merritone played at the University of West Indies Mona campus and attracted the daughters and sons of Jamaica’s middle and upper classes. We gave sound system culture respectability in Jamaica as well as greater accessibility across a diverse group of people ranging from higglers and up-and-coming artists to famous international stars and prominent politicians including prime ministers.
To support and foster music education
Things of quality have no fear of time
In 2020, Merritone Music created the Merritone Music Foundation in order to solidify and bolster its efforts to ensure access to music education for aspiring musicians. It has adapted the Pembroke Hall High School Band and have donated musical instruments to students.
To showcase and promote emerging artists
IT’S ALL ABOUT MERRITONE
In the 1970s, Winston Blake started the VIP Talent Exposure. Many of Jamaica’s greatest stars first got their opportunity on his stage. They include Cynthia “Songbird” Schloss-Blake, Beresford Hammond, The Tamlins, Jacob Miller, Ruddy Thomas, The Mighty Diamonds and Scorch Dance Group. Throughout the decades, Merritone Music continues to showcase and support artists. Their collaboration with various organizations like JAAVA spotlights Jamaican talent.
The Last Sound Standing
We are the only existing sound system from the that began in the original sound system era of 1940s and 1950s pioneers that continues to play.
