Sonny Roberts (1931 – March 17, 2021), often known as Sonny Orbitone, was a Jamaican record producer who had success within the British ska, afrobeat, lovers rock and soca market in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with his Planetone, Sway, Tackle Sunburn and Orbitone record labels.
Born in 1931 in Spice Grove, Manchester Parish, Roberts, who was originally a carpenter, emigrated to London in 1953.
[6] In 1970, he opened a record shop Orbitone Records in Harlesden, London and started the Orbitone label, which was one of the key lovers rock labels, with releases by artists such as Tim Chandell, Teddy Davis, Martell Robinson, Judy Boucher and Joyce Bond, as well as producing and releasing Afrobeat music.
[1] In 1987, his production of Judy Boucher's "Can't Be with You Tonight" reached number two in the UK Singles Chart.
[1][7] This single holds the record for being the first Caribbean female singer to have the longest stay in the British national charts for 14 weeks.