Dancehall innovator builds new album

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

Credited as one of the persons who spearheaded dancehall's transition into computer-made rhythms, it is ironic that Wayne Smith is now putting out an album which has mostly live music.

In 1985 Smith did Under Mi Sleng Teng on the popular Sleng Teng rhythm, the song and the rhythm heralding the computer age and becoming the artiste and producer's calling card.

"It mek people know mi still. Even di Jamaican history it deh inna. Some people say if it wasn't for Wayne Smith, a lot of artistes wouldn't be around. Under Mi Sleng Teng was the biggest selling song for me but it's not the only song that people know," he told The Gleaner.

He said he had other popular songs like Ain't No Meaning Saying Goodbye and Come Along. He has also released eight albums including Youth Man Skanking, Smoker and Bad Inna Dancehall.

But now, Smith said he will be releasing an album that has several songs that were recorded in the 1980s but were never released.

"Back in 1983 when I did most of these, everyone seh dem nuh waan no live band, dem waan computer song from mi. But now, people a seh dem waan hear some live things from me," he said, noting that one half of the album will include only new songs.

High expectations

Smith said he has high expectations of the 16-track album that will be called Inna Mi Brain.

"Da new album ya, mi know seh it a go gwaan good. Anytime mi tour people ask fi it, nuff people a wait fi it," he said.

He said the album was near completion, as some of the songs had already been mixed at his New York-based studio, while others will be mixed in Jamaica. After all the songs are mixed and mastered, he said he will be doing a music video for one of the songs. Subsequently, the songs will be available for purchase online and on CDs and vinyl especially for the European market.

The new album is part of Smith's drive to get newer and younger audiences.

"You haffi just give dem something weh dem can dance and sing to. People still a get broken heart, dem still fall in love. Mi haffi come back out ya now and get people fi know mi," Smith said.

The artiste, who recently returned from a European tour, said he is currently promoting a 13-track compilation album called Confidential The All Star on which he has a single called Some Day. The album also has other artistes like Garrison Hawk, Talent, Michael Shepherd, Fiona Sanderson, Luciano, Meditation, Fantan Mojah and Kazoo.