My story is like that of the paralytic who Jesus healed by the pool of Bethesda, near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem (John 5:2-9). It’s the story of a man who sat for thirty-eight years waiting for the water to be moved that he might be healed.
Christ took the initiative and approached him instead, enquiring if he wanted to be healed. The man replied with an excuse that no one was ever there to put him into the water and so he was never able to get into the pool in time. Christ had pity on him, commanding, “Rise, take up your bed and walk!” and he did.
Like this paralytic, I too waited for many years by the ‘poolside’ for someone to ‘put me in’ to the water. It didn’t take long for me to realise that it was never going to happen but yet I still sat there literally in a state of mental paralysis, still subconsciously thinking I couldn’t do it for myself.
Thankfully, near the point of crisis at the gates of despair these same words Christ spoke to the physical paralytic came home to me revealing to me and healing my self-inflicted state of paralysis, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’.
These words enlivened me; empowered me to take charge and to make the change I needed to make; to walk in a new life sharing the story of this Resurrection glory.
Born and raised in Jamaica and inspired by artists like Bob Andy and Bob Marley, Bunny Wailer to Yabby You and Gregory Isaacs, my musical journey has since that time gained me a number of philosophical roots anthems adding to my credentials within the genre.
Over the past three decades since 1990 when I entered the arena first as an independent with a lovers rock vinyl called “That Lady” on my Rising Son label, I’ve been rising and walking since.
Ten years later I trod to the UK and collaborated with Manchester’s Nucleus Roots (2000-2005) making conscious classics like ‘Run Come Quick’, ‘Deep Roots’, ‘Irie Meditation’, ‘Step It Up Rasta’ and finally ‘State of Mind’ (2016).
Notable places I have performed include Band on The Wall (2001) and Club Sauvage in Paris (2013) with Nucleus Roots, Hootananny, London (2015), The Klondyke, Manchester with local reggae band, Ruff Trade (2016) and Manchester Carnival (2018).
Works with other UK producers include ‘Rivers of Babylon’ (2018) with Lewis Bennett as well as ‘Power and Glory’ and ‘Envy Not’ with MessenJah Music label (2021-22). I am also now working with Dubophonic Records run by the mighty Dub Thomas out of Cyprus kicking off with the bouncing steppers, ‘Causeless Shall Not Come’ (2024).
While still operating as an independent, my journey continues also now as part of reggae band Zamaica out of Preston, UK. Our first date for 2024 will be the Lancashire Music Festival on 8 Jun. More dates to be announced.