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This is Joe Wong. Welcome to the Trap Set, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.

I want to play something for you.

I want to play something for you. You're hearing private life by Grace Jones, featuring my guest, Sly Dunbar on drums. Sly's career took off

when he met his partner, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, in 1972 at Idler's Rest, a legendary gathering

point for Kingston musicians. Together, the duo became a rhythm section for hire, and Sly became one of the most prolific and highly sought-after instrumentalists in the world.

The Kingston-Jamaica native was at ground zero for the reggae popularity explosion in the 1970s and 80s.

Aside from his work with virtually every Jamaican star, artists ranging from Bob Dylan to the Rolling Stones,

from Serge Gainsburg to no doubt, have sought the groove that only Sly and Robbie could provide.

Aside from their work as players, Sly and Robbie are also prolific producers, and their own label, Taxi Records, has issued countless classic releases.

Sly's work from the 70s alone places him in the pantheon of the greatest drummers of all time.

But the fact that he's maintained his intense creative output to the present day makes him nearly peerless.

And now our conversation with another one of the all-time greats, Sly Dunbar.

You've made a desperate appeal.

Now save your breath.

Part of Mother's work at the airport.

That's all I know.

And they were asking what they do.

Were you close with your family?

Yeah, man.

My father and mother had two sisters.

...