Drummers, it has been proven, are some of the best singers. Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, Phil Collins and Karen Carpenter are all skin-beaters. Kirk Bennett is recognized by many music followers as the premier drummer in contemporary reggae. And like the aforementioned, he is not a rusty vocalist. He plays drums and sings on Look Gud Body, one of the latest songs from his Kirkledove Records.

Kirk Bennett

Last year, Bennett also did double duty on Rolling, one of two self-produced EPs he released. They are just some of the projects the prolific musician is pushing. Another is Pray, a song by Romain Virgo featuring Busy Signal .Bennett, who recorded and toured with Beres Hammond for nearly 20 years, refused to sit and twiddle his thumbs during the COVID-19 lockdown in Jamaica. “Throughout di lockdown wi jus’ stay home an’ create. Wi don’t believe in wasting time,” he said. For Pray, he called on two of dancehall’s biggest acts with whom he previously collaborated as drummer and producer.

“We’re going through some tough times in Jamaica and di world with dis pandemic. People need to hear positive songs an’ dat’s what Kirkledove Records is about,” Bennett explained. In addition to Rolling, Bennett also released the instrumental EP, Straight 4 to The Crown, last year. He has two albums to his credit — Streetwise Dubwise and Rumble in The Jungle. Bennett has played on and produced hit songs by Hammond, Sizzla, Queen Ifrica, Virgo, Busy Signal, Tarrus Riley, Elephant Man and Ce’Cile.

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