Russell's career began in the 1960s with the Tartans, a group which also included Prince Lincoln Thompson, Linbergh "Preps" Lewis, and Cedric Myton.
[1] When the Tartans disbanded, Russell embarked on a solo career, and for a time joined Cultural Roots as lead singer.
In the early 1980s he recorded for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One label, and his debut solo album, Roots Music, was produced by Dodd and released on Sweet Music Records in 1982.
[1] In 1983 he was asked to join The Congos for a European tour, and he eventually relocated to the United Kingdom.
[1] Russell died from a brain tumour on 18 June 1997[1] a year after the release of Darker Than Blue.