Tarrus Riley

WESTERN BUREAU:

Reggae superstar Tarrus Riley officially launched his new 18-track album, Contagious, at the Iberostar hotel in Montego Bay, on Friday, in front of a large number of local and overseas-based journalists and well-wishers who were also in Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest.

Contagious includes tracks such as Good Girl Gone Bad - a combination with dancehall artiste Konshens; Living the life of a Gun; a cover version of Michael Jackson's Human Nature; Love's Contagious; Superman; I Sight among others.

"I named it Contagious because I want it to spread all over, because the vibes is positive and so many negative things are spreading and secondly, with the support of the people, my music is becoming contagious. Everyone is logging on and I really love that," Riley told The Gleaner.

Mesmerised

Executive director and promoter of Reggae Sumfest, Johnny Gouzong, who was among members of the music fraternity out to show support, labelled Riley the 'Prince of Reggae' and said he was mesmerised by Riley's voice the first time he heard one of his songs.

"My introduction to Tarrus was in 2004. It was close to Reggae Sumfest and I was given this CD. I usually get a lot of CDs to listen to upcoming artistes and I try to listen to as many of them as possible, sometimes in my motor vehicle," he said.

"That day (I) don't think I could have driven for more than about 60 yards. I turned around because apparently he had been waiting to see me. I was frantic because I said I wanted to meet this person. He must be on the show this year. Happily, we hooked up, he was contracted and he has been on Reggae Sumfest every year since."

Jamaican international footballer and music producer Ricardo Gardner, who was on a break from his English Premiership team Bolton Wanderers, was also at the launch.

"I just came here to pay respect to Tarrus Riley on his album launch. It's a great album and he is a great artiste and I am here to give him my full support. I am learning from him. I have already listened to all the tracks on the album. It is a great album and I would give it 10 out of 10," Gardner told The Gleaner.

Promoter of Western Consciousness, Worrell King, on whose show Riley made his first performance while still a virtual unknown several years ago, said he knew from the start that the singer would loom large, musically.

"The reggae that they have turned into jeggae is now taking back its place as reggae. We have a very bright star. We have a winner," he said.