Singing Melody—
Singing Melody is intent on breaking into new markets with his upcoming project titled Next Chapter .
The 15-track album, which will be released via Tuff Gong International/SHEM Music Productions/Your Friend in Music labels on October 16. According to the veteran singer, it will be a multi-genre set.
“I am honored and motivated to be working with Tuff Gong International on this project. They are very excited about the music. They feel it has global appeal,” Singing Melody told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.
“I pay attention to the music and what is trending, and while it doesn’t produce sales, I still want to connect with that younger audience. My career is over 30 years, so I have to explore different ways to express myself and rely on my navigational skills to just make music,” he continued.
Next Chapter features three collaborations: Never Leave featuring Teddy Riley and J Sol; Keep You Warm featuring Ghanaian artiste Budukusu; and the Latin-infused Caliente featuring emerging dancehall singjay Whitter The Legend.
“What we’re trying to do with this album is to surgically target different markets in the global marketplace. That’s why we have songs like Caliente— where the vocals are in Spanish and English — is directed towards the Latin audience,” said the artiste, whose given name is Everton Hardweare.
“We’re experimenting with Afrobeats, we have lover’s rock for our core audience, and the traditional reggae for the European market. This is a global product, I am fusing my sound, so that it can fit in with tropical vibes, trap-dancehall, Afrobeats, and the Latin markets,” said Singing Melody.
There will be a virtual launch of The Next Chapter with a live band on October 16. The event will be streamed live all over the world.
“This is going to be an amazing event,” he said.
Singing Melody said that he welcomed the challenge of “renewing his spirit” after a career spanning 30 years. Four years ago, he became a vegan and started running five miles a day, dropping 30 pounds to a trim 174 pounds, what he calls his ‘fighting weight’.
“I have evolved. This is not the version of Singing Melody with a belly,” the artiste joked.
Singing Melody has also adopted key meditation and breathing techniques to create that Zen mode to spiritually infuse his life and his music.
“I believe I am in my prime in terms of creating and energy. I have more energy in terms of performing now. I have remained active during the pandemic, keeping fit and doing yard work to keep myself active during this time. I am a vegan so you know right now is a ‘food war’,” he said.
Singing Melody’s previous album, They Call Me Mr Melody, produced by SHEM Music Productions and Fat Eyes Production, was released in 2012. It was distributed by VP Records.
Now, with his seventh album in the works, Singing Melody is looking to raise the ante as he believes that this album will showcase the full range of musical virtuosity.
Standout tracks include the lead track, Prove It To Me, released a few months ago, and the artfully produced Give Thanks which pays homage to the reggae, rocksteady and ska pioneers who helped to shape the music industry today.
“ Give Thanks is a very important song for me because it allows me to let the veterans know I am grateful for all they have done which allows me to come now and add color to the table. That’s what I am doing now, adding more color to what has gone before, I am part of a larger whole,” he said.
Singing Melody is known for his abilities as a vocalist, his production work and for combining aspects of reggae and R&B in his own releases.
He is best known for songs such as the local chart-topper Want You Back, Shower Me With Your Love, Say What, and Let It Flow.
In 1997, Singing Melody formed the reggae group LUST with Lukie D, Thriller U, and Tony Curtis — all solo acts. They have released two albums, Sweetness of Your Love in 2007 and Inspiration in 2010.
LUST was a finalist in the recently concluded Jamaica Festival Song Competition. Singing Melody said the experience was immeasurable.
“It was truly an amazing journey and to be there with Toots and Maytals was a thrill for us, and it was awesome to be in the top 10 finalists, even though we never won, we felt like winners to be there representing for Jamaica,” he said.
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