Roberto Sánchez: The Journey of Spain’s Reggae Pioneer, Lone Ark

Roberto Sánchez, a.k.a. Lone Ark, is a name synonymous with reggae music in Spain, and his influence has spread far beyond the Iberian Peninsula.

Born in 1977 in Santander, Cantabria, Roberto has dedicated his life to the sounds of roots reggae, earning him respect as a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, producer, and engineer.

Early days and musical roots

Roberto’s journey into music began at a young age. Coming from a family deeply rooted in local folk traditions, he was exposed to music early on.

His formal education in music started with piano lessons at the Conservatory of Music in Santander, but his real passion ignited when a friend introduced him to Bob Marley‘s music.

Roberto formed his first band, Lone Watti, as a teenager in 1994 with a friend named Borja Juanco. This was his first serious step into the reggae world, influenced by the emerging reggae scene in Bilbao.

His interest in the genre grew as he began to explore the deeper roots of Jamaican music. This journey took him on pilgrimages to London in search of rare vinyl and analogue recording equipment.

A-Lone: the driving force of the Spanish reggae scene

In 1997, Roberto started his label called A-Lone Productions. One year later, he opened the A-Lone Muzik Studio, Spain’s first reggae-specialized recording studio. It quickly became a hub for local and international artists.

Sánchez focused on capturing the essence of 1970s roots reggae, a style characterized by its analogue, raw, and organic sound.

Names like Shanti Yalah, Ras Teo, Alpheus, Earl Sixteen, Luciano, Mykal Roze, Al Campbell, Sugar Minott, Anthony Johnson and Clive Matthews have all passed through his studio, seeking the authentic sound that Roberto has mastered.

One of his notable achievements was the production of Earl Zero‘s album “And God Said to Man” in 2010, which was widely praised for its authentic reproduction of the 70s Greenwich Farm sound.

Lone Ark’s collaboration with Linval Thompson is another highlight. The Jamaican singer and producer has repeatedly collaborated with the Spanish musician on various recordings and releases for multiple labels.

Thompson provided Sanchez with original material he produced at Channel One in the late ’70s and early ’80s, an exchange that resulted in the creation of “Linval Thompson meets Roberto Sanchez At The Ark: Marijuana Sessions In Dub”, released in 2024.

Lone Ark: a solo journey into reggae

Roberto Sánchez launched his solo project, Lone Ark, in 2004 with the album “Countryside (Sounds from Nazarin Street)”, which was a celebration of 70s-style roots reggae. Roberto wrote, sang, and played multiple instruments on the album, proving his versatility and deep connection to the music.

Lone Ark, whose other aliases include Ras Telford and Telford, has released other albums throughout the years.

Vocally, Lone Ark brings back memories of the unique harmonizing of the classic Jamaican vocal trios of the ’60s and ’70s, such as The Heptones, The Paragons, and The Gladiators.

The music is a blend of influences from iconic Jamaican studios like Studio 1 and Black Ark, and the UK roots sound, all while maintaining a distinct identity that’s undeniably his own.

Roberto Sánchez has a backing band called Lone Ark Riddim Force. They also perform as a live band with the mission to keep alive the real sounds from 70’s roots reggae on stage.

Roberto Sánchez Interview

Enki’s Music Records had the pleasure of asking Roberto some questions.

Is there a reggae producer (living or dead) that you would like to work with?

I would love to work with Augustus Pablo and Yabby You at Perry’s Black Ark studio in 1977. That would be a dream come true! I simply love the texture and atmosphere of their productions…

Even though Lee Perry or Yabby didn’t play any instrument, you can always tell if it’s their thing or not. They are the cornerstone of roots music for me.

What is the story behind the name of your label, studio and stage name (“Lone” / A-Lone”)?

Lone comes from my first band Lone Watti – that was the name of a peculiar American Indian in a Clint Eastwood film. Also “lone” or “alone” is how we felt doing reggae since the early 90’s in Spain! So I just kept the name.

ARK started as the acronym of All-time Reggae Keeper and as a tribute to one of my favourite sounds (the one from Black ARK). On top of it, an ARK is where most precious things are conserved, that’s what I try to do with my studio and reggae, try to keep it alive and conserve the old-time sound and techniques.

Riddim Force: I use that name for my band in tribute of Wackies Rhythm Force.

A-Lone Productions was supposed to be A-Lone Production (without the final s) trying to make a game saying that it was a “Lone” production (a production from Lone Watti back then). Also, we were playing with the word “alone” as we were doing it on our own, as an independent label and studio…

But my friend in charge of the logo in 1997 wrote Productions instead of Production as it fitted better, and so it stayed [laughs].

Any upcoming projects you would like to share?

I’m finishing some new projects with wicked artists!! I’m gonna name three, but there are many more!!!

I’m mixing a new vocal album by the great Errol Holt (Flabba).

Also, just finished mixing Amata’s new LP (we did a song together a few years ago called ‘Each One Teach One’); now the showcase album is ready.

And I just finished voicing and overdubbing my next vocal album in collaboration with my Swiss family, The 18th Parallel and Fruits Records.