Falling head over heels with ‘Love United’
With the March 31 release of extended play (EP) album “LOVE UNITED,” Caribbean band British Dependency (BD) introduces a lush musical project of soulful voices from various island artists sharing their reggae interpretations on matters of the heart.
The album, which was conceived by project manager and co-executive producer Victor E. Lewis/VICRAE Inc., is a lovers rock remix of selected early works from BD showcasing all the complexities of love. Featured songs written by co-executive producer Davon Carty were reimagined in reggae and produced by Roland “Strokes” Richards and Maurice Gregory, former members of famed reggae band Third World.
Blending their broad vocal ranges under the cohesive theme of love, the various artists are led by strong female singers joined by two male crooners. The artists include: Hannah Stewart (German-Jamaican); Watty (Anguillan, Los Angeles-based); Tasha’s World (Holland); Fourever1 (Bahamian, Los Angeles-based); Ayanna Irish (Montserratian-Jamaican-St. Lucian, New York City-based); Maurice Gregory (Jamaican, Italy-based); and Ishmael Levi (Guyanese, New York City-based) the lead singer of British Dependency.
Revitalizing the old works of BD, the EP showcases the brilliant talents of the individual artists, with some recording a reggae track for the first time. The musical showcase is both an appetizer for a future, more lavish experience, while honoring UK’s lovers-rock vibes of the ’70s.
On “HEAR MY STORY,” Stewart, who was raised in a musically oriented family, inspires with emotionally touching lyrics and sweet artistic layers. Of German, Jamaican and Chinese background, Stewart’s take on lovers rock will take you back to the dimly lit basement house party, slow-dancing on the wall with that special someone, the requisite Guinness Stout in one hand. A former contestant on Season 16 of “American Idol,” Watty, aka Amalia Watty, cites Billie Holiday, Curtis Mayfield and Al Green as musical influences. She effortlessly delivers “Oh Edith” with a gentle rasp in a nod to her musical mentors.
Born in the Netherlands, Tasha, whose real name is Natascha Slagtand, honed her musical skills, initially singing jazz, then expanding to soul. On “Changes,” she imparts a lover’s lament, declaring that his rejection has robbed her of her voice. But his loss is the listener’s gain.
An all-girl group comprising four identical sisters 一 quadruplets Jodi, Cat, Chrissy and Janelle 一 FOUREVER1 offers a fresh new sound combining urban and World music. “Song for My Boy” crackles with liberating excitement, passion and vibrations of love. Irish, who has been captivating audiences with her musical talents since age 5, renders thought-provoking lyrics and haunting melodies on “Only Love.” It’s a song destined for a late-night playlist.
Nominated for multiple Grammys and a participant in several Grammy-winning projects, Gregory has played with some of the most iconic bands from Jamaica. With “My Angela,” he flexes his excellent musical pedigree, strengthening the lovers rock reggae subgenre with memorable vocal and guitar articulations.
Fans of Third World will recognize Levi’s distinct stripped-down vocals on the acoustic-guitar-heavy “Close Your Eyes.” Both lyrically rich and emotionally bare, the single is “the other man’s” anthem, asking: “How does it feel that he’s loving you while you’re loving me?” Indeed, love sometimes hurts, but it’s not blind...
