The beginnings of the musical adventure
Donovan Germain was born on March 7, 1952 in Kingston, Jamaica.
He relocated to New York in 1970 to study accounting. He graduated from New York Community College, taking a job at a Wall Street stock brokerage firm as a junior accountant while simultaneously running a Brooklyn reggae record shop he had purchased named Keith's Records. In 1975, Germain began distributing records for several jamaican producers including Gussie Clarke, Lloyd Campbell or Sonia Pottinger.

The firsts productions
In 1978, Donovan Germain made his first tentative forays into production with the help of Lloyd Campbell under Spiderman label with Joy White’s "Love Is A Message" and Ronnie Davis "Equality & Justice". He founded his first label Revolutionnary Sounds the same year, recording roots and lovers rock music. He obtained his first hits songs with "Don't Break Your Promise" by The Tamlins in 1979 and "Mr Boss Man" by Cultural Roots in 1980. He developed two sub labels in parallel - Rub-a-Dub and Reggae - in the early 80's.
He founded Germain Records label in 1985. He scored some hits on this label like "One Dance Can Do" by Audrey Hall in 1985 and "Just Want To Be Lonely" by Freddie McGregor in 1987.
Germain spent much of the 80s travelling between Jamaica, USA and England for his productions. He progressively gave up roots productions and turned to digital riddims.

Beginnings of Penthouse Records
Germain moved back to Kingston to open his own Penthouse studio on the top floor of a building on Slipe Road in 1988 (hence the name Penthouse). He produced his first big hit on Penthouse Records "Chaka On The Move" by Chaka Demus in 1989.
He became also distributor, first of all of his own productions then of those of other labels. He created 3 sub labels of Penthouse Records - Riddim International, Suite 56 then www.germainmusic.com - to distribute some of his productions.
The quality of its productions quickly enabled him to achieve an impressive number of hit singles and to become one of the most important labels in Jamaica.
Besides his musical productions, Germain guided and managed the career of artists, like Buju Banton for the last 18 years.

Singers & Deejays
Penthouse allowed many young artists like Wayne Wonder, Buju Banton, Tony Rebel, Cutty Ranks, Sanchez or Mad Cobra to launch their international career in the early 90s.
Other artists like Jah Mali, Ras Shiloh or Assassin would benefit from Germain's professionalism to reach an international fame.
Some veteran artists like Beres Hammond, Marcia Griffiths or Nana McLean saw their career starting again after collaborating with Donovan Germain.
The label is also well know thanks to great combinations between artists like Wayne Wonder & Buju Banton (“Massa God World A Run”, “Bonafide Love”, “What You Gonna Do”, “Reunion”), Beres Hammond & Buju Banton (“ Who Say”, “Little More Time”, “Pull It Up”, “Thanks Fe Mi Pride & Joy” “I’m Gonna Do My Best”, “Honey comb”) or Marcia Griffiths & Cutty Ranks ( “Really Together”, “Loving You”, “Half Idiot” and “Much closer”).

Riddims which made a mark in reggae history
Like the others jamaican producers, Germain updated classic riddims.
He realized, in particular, brilliant relicks of Studio One riddims : “A Love I Can Feel”, “Always Together”, “Answer/Never Let Go”, “College Rock”, “Darker Shade Of Black”, “Feeling Soul”, “Freedom Blue / MPLA”, “General”, “Heavy Rock”, “Land Of Love”, “Lecturer”, “Love Me Always”, “Movie Star", “Nanny Goat”, “Pure Sorrow”, “Swing Easy”, “Things & Time”, “Things Come Up To Bump”, “You'll Never Know”.
He also “recut” some Bob Marley riddims : “Forever Loving Jah”, “Heathen”, “Soul Rebel”, “Thank You Lord”, “Time Will Tell”.
However he did not content himseff with modernising classic riddims. He produced original riddims like “Dickie” (1992), “Falling In Love”(1992), “If Loving Was A Crime” (1993), “Champion” (1994), “Cannabis Vibes” (1997), “Warriors Don't Cry” (1997), “Love Dem Bad” (1997), “Up Close & Personnal” (1997), “Extortioners” (2000) or “Automatic” (2008).

A recognizable sophisticated sound
Penthouse Records ruled over the dancehall during the 90s thanks to a recognizable sophisticated sound. Penthouse became renowned all over the world for the quality of its productions and equipments. Many labels used Penthouse studio to record their artists.
Talented and creative riddims makers like brothers Dave and Tony Kelly, Andre "Rookie" Tyrell or Steven "Lenky" Marsden took benefit from their passage in Penthouse's studio to acquire experience and a recognition enabling them to create their own labels.
Other engineers like Michael "Coolie" Cooper, Steven Stanley, Andrew Thomas or Gary Jackson also participated to elaborate this sophisticated sound.

Present and future
Germain opened his new high tech studio on Ballater Avenue in 2006. He works nowadays with a team of upcoming artists like Romain Virgo (2007 Digicel Rising Stars winner), Cameal Davis (2008 Digicel Rising Stars winner), Torch or Shuga (2009 Digicel Rising Stars winner).

New Penthouse artists team

Donovan Germain's other labels

Main musicians since the beginnings of the label