While attending dances in his native Jones Town, Kingston, singer DHEAP BLU developed an affinity for vocalists whose style helped define Rhythm And Blues. Top of the list were Sam Cooke, Curtis Mayfield and Pat Kelly, another of their musical disciples.
Their smooth sound can be heard on Love Light, his EP, which was recently released by Upstairs Music out of South Florida. The six-song project is produced by Danny Breakenridge, that label’s principal.
DHEAPBLU, who has been recording for over 35 years, said Breakenridge introduced him to a different recording method for Love Light which was completed in March, 2020.
“My approach was for the first time writing songs on selected popular rhythm tracks and making these songs owning the rhythm track, to make it more clearer. You hear the familiarity of the rhythm but it’s hard to recognize the original song,” he explained.
The title song, Every Time You Smile and Missing Home are some of the tracks from the EP.
Cooke and Mayfield emerged during the 1960’s with a crooner’s delivery that influenced many Jamaican vocalists including The Wailers and Slim Smith. Probably their greatest reggae exponent, however, was Kelly who like Smith was a lead vocalist for The Techniques.
Listening to Cooke and Kelly, in particular, helped DHEAPBLU develop his tenor sound.
“These two artists had big a influence on my style and sound because I grew up learning that a male singer should be able to thrill a woman, so with that colorful style they had was easy to thrill the female fans,” said DHEAPBLU. “When you get hold of the female audience on your side most of your job is done.”
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