'The Seven Year Itch' is over

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

After seven years in music, uncertainty loomed, but now reggae artiste Protoje is ready to release his highly anticipated album The Seven Year Itch.

He explained the album title is closely linked to his own experience. After returning to Jamaica from university in 2003, Protoje decided to do music.

"It took me seven years from that point to this," said Protoje, while thanking his parents for supporting him when he decided to do the arts instead of further tertiary studies.

Protoje said it was seven years of doing music and not really seeing the fruits of his labour. At that point, he said he had to decide if he was going to continue with music or not. Then came his hit single Arguments.

Coincidentally, the album also took him seven months to complete in studio after seven years of writing the material. He said the album was largely produced by his cousin Don Corleon, who did 13 tracks. DJ Karim did one track but a lot of work was also done by Danny Bassie, who played guitar and bass on most of the tracks.

In addition to his work on the album, Protoje said Danny Bassie, "is somebody who helped me with my confidence." Corleon, he said, was responsible for a lot of the creativity.

As a reggae artiste, live music is evident throughout the album. In some cases, he said the drumming was done by computer programmes and then live bass, guitar and keyboard was added later to complete the process. Some of the other tracks were done completely live at Tuff Gong International Limited Recording Studio.

"It's an even mixture but at some point all of the rhythms have live instrumentation," he told The Gleaner.

Live music, he said, is crucial as a reggae artiste.

"Live music is very important because that's just the type of music that I am into. Worse if you doing reggae, it is important to have musicians working on it. It's a good thing to make music that way," he said, noting that each musician brings something different and exciting to the process.

As for expectations, he said fans can expect a sound musical offering based on the work that was done on it.

"Musically, Don did an amazing job on it. It's very sound musically. You really can expect to get to know me from this record. It's very introspective. Good music, positive music and you really get to know the person. I gave a lot on the record," Protoje said.

With his career going as well as it is, the artiste said he is grateful but it was somewhat unexpected.

"It's just been a blessing when I look back at where things were last December when there was only one song compared to now. I am happy with where it is now and I have to give thanks for the now," Protoje told The Gleaner.

He explained that the album had been ready since September and he was trying to get it out by the end of the year. When that didn't materialise, a decision was made to release it in January.

After the release, he said he will be promoting it locally and abroad, as he will be touring Europe in February.

This will be his second time performing overseas; the first was in Canada.

Leading up to the album's release, Protoje will be giving his fans a special treat by distributing a free Seven Year Itch sampler. It will include all previously released tracks from the upcoming album such as songs like Arguments, Dread, JA, Roll, and Rasta Love featuring Ky-Mani Marley. Each track is accompanied by exclusive audio clips of Protoje explaining his creative process, as well as its own artwork designed by Taj Francis.

Listeners will also be treated to a bonus live version of Dread that was recorded on the night of Protoje's first performance at the renowned Jamnesia Sessions in Bull Bay, St Thomas.