Michael Marsh takes it easy on new album

After years of recording for some of reggae's top producers, singer Michael Marsh decided to go solo for Take It Easy, his recently released second album.

Formerly known as Cane Juice, Marsh began work on Take It Easy four years ago but completed the 12-track set in late 2010.

"Mi alone do mi thing, there was no one to help so wi jus' tek wi time an' do it little by little," Marsh told The Gleaner from his New York City home.

Babymother, on which Marsh pleads for patience from a frustrated spouse, is the lead song from Take It Easy which is the follow-up to Twelve Joints of Cane, another self-produced album that was released in 2001.

Both albums are strong on the roots message Marsh has been favoured for much of his 26-year career. He cut his first song, Ghetto Tenement Yard, for producer Harry 'Harry J' Johnson in 1985 while he was still a student at Jamaica College.

Marsh spent most of the next 15 years performing on the north coast hotel scene and recording for producers like Lloyd 'King Jammy's' James, Phillip Smart and Clement 'Coxson' Dodd.

His work with Smart and Dodd took place in New York City where he had immigrated nearly 10 years ago.

Marsh says the most satisfying aspect of Take It Easy, is that all the songs are originals.

"There was a time when people used to say reggae artiste jus' sing over song an' it looked like we lacked creativity," he said. "So wi have to prove dem wrong."