ROOTS SINGER KUSH I TO RELEASE HIS SECOND ALBUM “STAND UP FIRM” ON VINYL ONLY!

Roots singer Kush I plans to release his second album later this year. Titled Stand Up Firm, it comes five years after his debut, Solid Ground, and will be released only on vinyl.

The title song is the lead single. It is expected to be out in August, in time for the celebration of Pan African leader Marcus Garvey’s 132nd birthday.

Stand up Firm features several collaborations including One Thing About Me with Cedric Myton of The Congos. Kush I also works with Chaka Demus and I Wayne on the set which he says is different than its predecessor.

“Rawness. This album has a rougher voicing quality than before, a more aggressive tone. There is a greater mix of styles including, rock steady and ska. Songs like War with I-Wayne, shows a real departure from Solid Ground both for the collaboration with I Wayne and for hostile nature of the rhythm and lyrical content. This is a roots album so no love songs,” he stated.

Kush I, who lives in the United Kingdom, recorded the entire album in Jamaica with a number of top musicians, including drummers Sly Dunbar, Kirk Bennett and Prince Manning, bassist Flabba Holt, guitarists Dwight Pinkney and Mitchum Chin and saxophonist Dean Fraser.

“I also worked with a French outfit called 149 Promotions who approach me in Nice. I was on tour with The Abyssinians and they were interested in recording me. We did the track Not if I Can Help It,” Kush I disclosed.

Since the release of Solid Ground, he has also toured with Toots and The Maytals, and released two EPs, No Bad Man and Happy Man.

Touring Europe has made Kush I aware of the resurgent vinyl market, hence his decision to release Stand up Firm in that format.

Born Errol Henry in Kingston, Kush I got his start on sound systems there. Influenced by Ken Boothe, Sanchez and Garnet Silk, he recorded Too Much Gun, his first song, in the late 1990’s.

He believes he has matured as an artist since Solid Ground.

“The responsibilities upon me as a singer are even more clearer. In relation

to social message and getting people to think. But at the same time this is music

and it’s important not to take life too serious all the time. To make people dance

and laugh is a great tonic,” said Kush I.