By Howard Campbell/Observer writer—
Anthony Cruz
A contemporary artiste with an old-school heart, Anthony Cruz remembers a time when people went to dances in Jamaica to dance. He believes a reason for lack of action on the dance floor these days is the shortage of sensuous music.
The veteran singer went into the archives to recapture that passion for Under The Covers, his latest album which is scheduled for release on March 23 by Tad’s International Record. It has 20 reggae interpretations of classics like Smokey Robinson and The Miracles’ I Second That Emotion and For The Love of You, originally done by The Isley Brothers.
“Wi see where, especially in di dancehall, yuh used to have man an’ woman a dance but yuh don’t see dat anymore. Now is pare man yuh si a dance, an’ is like di younger people dem lose dat sensitivity. These songs can express certain affection between man an’ woman,” said Cruz in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.
Cruz, who is in his late 40s, first heard songs like the aforementioned through his parents and senior family members. They also listened to slow-burners like Closer I Get to You by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway and the yearning Suspicion, done by Terry Stafford, which he also covered.
Under The Covers also contains reggae versions of neo-soul hits by Alexander O’Neal (If You Were Here Tonight), R Kelly (Step in The Name of Love) and U Remind Me, a monster smash for Usher.
While the tracks on Under The Covers are “personal favorites”, Cruz welcomed the challenge of doing justice to songs done by legendary artistes.
“It shows yuh versatility an’ how good yuh vocals are, matching up to the original singers. An’ yuh know wi always win when it comes to dat,” he said.
Cruz has had success in the past covering pop hits like Usher’s U Got it Bad. For Under The Covers, he worked with producers such as Lloyd “King Jammy” James, Donovan Germain, Bobby Digital, Ainsworth “Big A” Higgins, and Chris Knight.
Bassist Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis and Paul “Wrong Move” Crosdale of The Firehouse Crew and drummer Kirk Bennett are some of the musicians who played on the set.
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