One of the songs that defined the 1990s roots-reggae revival, No Heathen by Anthony Redrose appealed to an aspiring singer named Kiplin Simpson from rural St. Elizabeth parish in Jamaica. Known to dancehall fans as Terry Linen, he teams with Redrose on a version of the track, originally produced by Startrail Records.
Tad Dawkins Jr. produces the new cut for Tad’s International Record. It is scheduled for release on January 12.
According to Terry Linen, No Heathen instantly impacted him when he first heard it in 1994, the year it was released.
“As a youth growing up, nuff people want to carry yuh down in a hole ‘though yuh a live ‘round dem. When mi jus’ link with Anthony Redrose, mi always tell him, ‘mi waan si me an’ you a sing dat song pon di stage’ ‘cause it has a certain power, more than words can explain,” he said.
Terry Linen has lead vocal duties on No Heathen, with Redrose singing the hook. They are accompanied by saxophonist Dean Fraser, trumpeter Okiel McIntyre, guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin, drummer Kirk Bennett and Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis.
The original No Heathen was done during the height of Rasta renewal in dancehall/reggae in Jamaica. Acts like Garnet Silk, Tony Rebel, Yasus Afari and Everton Blender led that re-awakening along with the Startrail label, owned by Richard “Bello” Bell.
Like those artists, Terry Linen is from the south-central region of Jamaica. His biggest hit songs are Couldn’t Be The Girl For Me and a cover of Whitney Houston’s Your Love Is My Love.
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