Abijah readies for local audience

• Artiste set to release album in January

Curtis Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Reggae artiste Abijah is set to re-establish his presence on the local music scene.

The Revelation singer, who has been fairly quite locally since the release of his last hit single in 2002, is back with a string of new songs and an upcoming album.

"Right now, I have a good team around me and I have my own label called Peppa3 music, so I have more control of my product," he told The Gleaner.

According to the international reggae artiste the major labels tend to hinder artistes.

Therefore it's good to start a self-managed production once the artiste believes he or she is mature enough.

"It's computer time it's not like one time when we had to depend on Vinyl for sales, and so we had to depend on a one man to push it, everything digital so it's easier, I can channel my music through iTunes on my own," he said.

The artiste is currently promoting his new single Where Is That Love, which he says will have a positive impact on the music industry.

"This song has a good message. The other day a lady heard the song and she says she was touched by the words," he said.

A video for the song was recently shot by popular director Asha, and is getting steady rotations on local television stations.

"We shot the video downtown, Kingston and other places that need to feel some love," he said.

Japan tour

The artiste left the island last weekend for Japan for a 24-show tour along with song bird Tessanne Chin and I Eye.

"My tour will last for 45 days. I am going to numerous locations, so it's not like we are gone from the music, because we are still representing Jamaica from other sides of the world," he said.

After the tour, the artiste said he would return to complete the final phase of the album.

Music and Me The album bares 16 songs and a bonus track. It also features an artiste the singer says he will not mention to add to the suspension.

According to Abijah he is confident that the material is good and music lovers will appreciate it.

"My music is timeless, it not nuh three month thing, and when I do an album even the little kids can listen to the songs without it being screened. Good music is what I am talking about," he said.

The album is set for a January release and will be distributed by Comefitanya Productions.

"The fans can expect more positive and righteous music from me, I have been missing for awhile locally, but am coming back with full force sound and power," he confidently told The Gleaner.

Music for Abijah can be found on iTunes as well as his myspace address at Abijahpeppa3music.