At the start of his career, Max Suavo did renditions of Dennis Brown songs at school events and club gigs. The reception was always positive and he continued to perform them when he resumed singing 10 years ago.
This year, the Florida-based artist compiled songs he has recorded since 2017, for an EP titled More Than Friends. It contains covers of songs made famous by the Crown Prince of Reggae who died in 1999 at age 42.
Suavo puts his spin on If I Follow My Heart, Funny Feeling and Money In My Pocket, big hits by Brown that helped define the lovers rock genre. The title song and In Love Again, both originals, complete the mini set.
“It was my idea to use D Brown covers. These are (my) personal favorites, produced by me independently. At first Blue River Records offered to help with production but are now focusing on gospel, so production of the EP is independent but it was not officially released,” Suavo explained.
He plans to expand the EP to an album, which will hopefully be released in early 2021. The would-be set would likely include Just For You, Wonderful World and Where Did Love Go, which are produced by Jon FX, known for his success with rapper XXXtentacion.
Suavo is from Kingston. He first came to prominence in sports, competing in the 800 and 1500 meters at high school and collegiate levels in Jamaica.
But he also found time for music, performing as lead singer with a teen group and a band.
When he resumed his show business career in 2010, he again incorporated songs in his set done by Brown, arguably reggae’s most influential singer.
“D Brown had the biggest impact on my career. Love his lovers rock, happy rhythms and clean music,” said Suavo.
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