ROOTS reggae singer Zamunda has a busy live show schedule this festive season, including back-to-back appearances on the GT Taylor Christmas Extravaganza on Christmas Day and Sting the following evening.

He is also putting in a lot of work in the recording studios, working on his debut album, Jah Love Surround Me, which is slated to be released by Tad’s International in March.

ZAMUNDA… is in the recording studios working on his debut album

He said he went back to basics for the album.

“This compilation comprises of one-drop tracks only and it was recorded at Tuff Gong studios with live instruments,” the 27-year-old Rastafarian explained.

Jah Love Surround Me is also the name of his first single which was released in 2008. Shortly after, he relocated from the parish of his birth St Ann to the Corporate Area where the former auto mechanic met a rising star.

“I was introduced to I-Octane by a friend and we recorded and released the single Badda Than Dem,” he said.

The two would cut another hit single, Rasta Eva Clean which earned Zamunda several shows in the Caribbean and Europe.

Like several dancehall acts, Zamunda does not hold a United States visa. He admits it has created minor setbacks as it relates to promoting his music.

“Thankfully I can still travel to the European countries which are big supporters of authentic reggae music,” he said.

As for the state of contemporary dancehall, he has mixed feelings.

“There is still good music around, as entertainers like Romain Virgo, Busy Signal and Iba Mahr are still carrying the reggae torch. However, there are some artists taking it down a negative path. Is either yuh do Jah works or work for the devil,” he said.