SINGER/MUSICIAN BENJY MYAZ TO RELEASE NEW EP “ROOTSY RHAPSODIES!”

TWENTY-TWO years ago, singer/musician Benjy Myaz had a massive hit song with Love You Higher. It topped local charts and made the Hanover native an emerging star. Myaz is set to release Rootsy Rhapsody, an EP that is his first vocal project since the 2005 album, Long Story Short.

“The EP consists of six tracks and it was produced exclusively as a house project for our label My Werks Music Productions. We are anticipating a summer release,” Myaz told the Jamaica Observer.

A strong cast of musicians contributed to Rootsy Rhapsody. They include drummer Kirk Bennett, keyboardist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul, trumpeter Everol Wray, guitarists Dalton Browne and Paul Crossdale.

Myaz (born Benjamin Myers) got his start playing bass in North Coast bands. He cut his teeth as a musician touring with Toots and The Maytals and Jimmy Cliff before his breakthrough as a vocalist with Love You Higher.

The song was originally recorded in 1986 by soul singer Randy Crawford as Higher Than Anyone Can Count. “ Love You Higher was a great song in its original state with the wonderful vocals of Randy Crawford. All the elements and organics were already there awaiting a different interpretation, so when we rocked it with that one-drop element, emotions started to fly,” he said.

Myaz is involved in other projects with The Jamaican Jazz Masters, singers Joanna Marie and Franko Brian, A’lisa and Cadia, American artiste Mr Pinnacle, and Canadian acts Jeneva Stephane and Jackie James.