Fred Locks looks for a new beginning

Leighton Levy, Gleaner Writer

Like most things, music goes through cycles. During this cycle, in the eyes of many, Jamaican music has been in a dark place but now seems to be emerging by going back to its future.

Among a growing number of singers trying to take the music back in the hope of going forward is Fred Locks, a veteran singer whose latest release, She is a Hit, could be destined for good things.

The song, produced by Rupert Blackwood on the Super Entertainment label, has been out for a short while now and is gaining some traction locally and in overseas markets, The hit rhythm also features tracks such as Luciano's Memories, George Nooks' Now You Know and Brown Lion's Work Tonight. All the songs are said to be gaining momentum in Germany and Italy.

She is a Hit is a record with an old-school feel from an old-school entertainer. Fred Locks began his musical career when the parents of many of today's entertainers were mere specks in their parents' eyes.

He began his journey as a member of the Flames in the 1960s. In 1966, he was a member of the group called The Lyrics, who recorded for Clement 'Sir Coxson' Dodd tunes like A Get It and Girls like Dirt.

In the early 1970s, the singer, who was born Stafford Elliot, allowed his locks to grow to great lengths, earning him the name Fred Locks. He eventually migrated to the United States in the early 1980s but continued to produce quality music, if only sporadically for Phillip Smart and Fattis Burrell.

He released Glorify the Lord in 2008.

She is a Hit is available on CD Baby and iTunes as well as other online music stores.