A 'Junior' delay 'Soundtrack of Life' to be released in January instead

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

The release of Junior X's debut album has been set back to January, the roots singer told The Gleaner recently. He cited timing as the main reason for the delay.

"Wi wanted to do it in October but wi thought the impact wi wanted wouldn't be there, so wi push it back to January," Junior X explained.

Soundtrack of Life is the working title of the set which hears Junior X working with established producers like Sly and Robbie and Bobby 'Bobby Digital' Dixon. He also teams up with fellow conscious artistes Gyptian and Queen Ifrica.

Gyptian broke through in the United States this year with the funky Hold You, which peaked at number 31 and 76 on Billboard Magazine's Rhythm and Blues and pop charts, respectively.

Junior X says he did some experimenting on 'Soundtrack' to also reach a crossover audience.

"There's a lotta different flavours; wi try mess with jazz and fuse it with the reggae," he said. "But there's social commentary which is wha' the people know wi for, plus some girl tune whe people don't know mi for."

songs on album

One of those 'girl tunes' is Destiny which features Gyptian who also appears on Never Stop From Trying. Queen Ifrica helps out on Look No Further.

A remixed version of Plead My Cause, Junior X's breakthrough hit from 2005 is on 'Soundtrack'.

However, Freedom and Seek Your Goals which were released around the same period, do not make the cut.

They were among the first batch of songs from Junior X (born Richard White), who earned his musical chops growing up in the east Kingston community of Rockfort, an area famous for its ties to foundation groups like the Skatalites and Count Ossie and the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari.

A solid cast including bassist Christopher Meredith, guitarist Leebert 'Gibby' Morrison and percussionist Bongo Herman backed Junior X on Plead My Cause which was actually recorded in 2002.

It was another three years before the song was released, and made an instant impact in the dancehall and on radio.

Junior X was unable to say which company will distribute Soundtrack of Life.