Legendary reggae percussionist Sly Dunbar has die aged 73.

Born Lowell Fillmore Dunbar in Kingston, Jamaica in 1952, Dunbar partnered with his long-time collaborator, bassist Robbie Shakespeare (who died in 2021) to become one of the most influential rhythm sections of all time.

In his long and storied career, Dunbar recorded and performed with Bunny Lee, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Barrington Levy, Peter Tosh, King Tubby, the Rolling Stones, Lee 'Scratch' Perry & the Upsetters, Bob Marley, Grace Jones, Chaka Demus & Pliers, and countless others.

In the '80s he founded Taxi Records and released music by future stars of the incoming dancehall generation, including Shaggy, Shabba Ranks, Skip Marley, Beenie Man and Red Dragon.

Sly Dunbar's unique drumming style helped define the sound of Caribbean music in the '70s, inspiring swathes of reggae, dub, dancehall and rock musicians in the decades to come.

Dunbar was reportedly found by his wife, Thelma, who told Jamaican newspaper the Gleaner that she found him unresponsive on Monday morning. No cause of death has been confirmed, but reports say he had been ill for some time.