Tappa Zukie
World-renowned artiste and producer Tappa Zukie is releasing digital copies of some of his most iconic productions that were previously only available on vinyl.
The releases began on March 22 with Cornell Campbell’s Follow Instructions and The Heptones’ Pressure.
There are seven more digital re-releases scheduled.
“I have been in the music business for over 50 years, so I have seen the evolution of music and its distribution. As of such, I am hoping to reintroduce these classic reggae albums for hard-core fans in a format that is with the new age of music distribution,” Tappa Zukie told the Jamaica Observer.
He added: “I’m hoping to give fans accessibility to their favorite artistes’ music from Tappa Records without having to buy a classic vinyl.”
The other digital re-releases will include Max Romeo’s The Cross or the Gun (April 19), Yami Bolo’s Cool And Easy (May 3), Tappa Zukie From the Vault (May 17), Gregory Isaacs’s Gregory In Red (May 31), Tappa Zukie’s From The Vault Vol 2 (June 14), Courtney Melody’s Man In Love (June 28), and Sugar Minott’s Breaking Free (July 12).
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For the projects that have made their digital débuts, the producer noted that he is encouraged by the reviews.
“Honestly, I’ve been encouraged be the positive feedback I’ve received since I’ve partnered with Zojak on this endeavor,” he said.
Tappa Zukie’s career began in the 1970s with songs addressing social injustices both in Jamaica and Africa. The message of his music was well received and it gained the attention of music lovers around the world, including Queen of Punk Rock Patti Smith and English Billionaire Richard Branson, who offered Tapper a recording deal through his Virgin Records label.
After a musical hiatus in England, Tappa Zukie (real name David Sinclair) rebranded his music career as a producer in the mid-1980s following the footsteps of his mentor Bunny Lee.
Having a consistent career that has spanned many decades, Tappa Zukie revealed that he is working on several other projects, while preparing for African and European gigs.
“I recently finished recording my 21st studio album, so that is scheduled for release later this year. I am also looking to perform for my fans more, I recently performed at the 30th staging of Rebel Salute and I’m looking to perform more for the fans,” he said.
While reiterating that he has no plans to retire soon, Tappa Zukie is encouraging emerging artistes to use their platform to highlight social ills.
“Music is an art form used to express our culture and experiences. I want to advise the youngsters to be more expressive of the issues we all face as Jamaicans,” he said.
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