BY KEVIN JACKSON
Observer writer—
ELEVEN years ago, Da’Ville was one of the hottest names in dancehall music thanks to the massive hit song, Always on My Mind. But for a performance at Rebel Salute in January, the singer has not been visible on the local scene.
That is about to change, as he prepares to promote his new song and video, This is The Love.
Produced by Delly Ranks and released by Pure Music Productions, it is currently riding the New York and South Florida reggae charts.
“The song was co-written by me and Delly Ranks. It has been doing well on the charts and the response has been very good. I am hoping to capitalize on that with the release of the video,” Da’Ville told the Jamaica Observer at the video’s launch at Abar Restaurant and Lounge in Half-Way-Tree last Thursday.
He spoke about his extended absence from the Jamaican music scene.
“I took some time off because I became a father for the first time and I wanted to spend time with my kids,” he said.
Always on My Mind blew up Jamaican radio and soared on North American reggae charts. Sean Paul even did a well-received mix with Da’Ville, who followed-up with This Time I Promise.
He admits the absence hurt his momentum somewhat.
“The time I was away only affected my fan base in Jamaica, not overseas, because I was always performing.”
The video for This is The Love was filmed in Florida where Da’Ville resides. It was directed by Terrence McPherson and Leighton ‘Fras’ Williams for Mamaz Boiz Films.
According to Da’Ville, the visual sums up his music and career.
“My music is fun and about enjoyment. I hope people will see the new vision of what I am about,” he said.
Da’Ville (given name Orville Thomas) was former lead singer of the group ARP, which shot to prominence in the late 1990s.
After embarking on a solo career, he scored with a cover of Heaven, This Time I Promise, Always on My Mind and Missing You Now.
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