Musician returns home after 16 years...

Krista Henry, Staff Reporter

Singer, drummer, producer Ed Robinson is returning to his roots. The now New York-based artiste is returning to Jamaica this month after a 16-year hiatus.

Known for songs such as Knocking On Heaven's Door, Rude Boy, Ruff Neck and others, Robinson is currently promoting his latest album titled Written in Stone. The singer took time out of his busy schedule to talk to The Sunday Gleaner about his journey in music that has led him to where he is today.

Starting his career as a drummer on the hotel circuit on Jamaica's north coast, Robinson got his big break performing alongside the likes of Bob Andy in the late 1980s.

Moving to Kingston to pursue music, Robinson decided to branch out as a solo artiste, retiring his drums to pursue his vocal talent.

Songs for the likes of Mikey Bennett, Penthouse, Tuff Gong, Shocking Vibes and other popular production houses followed. However, it was a stint on the Reggae Sunsplash South American tour that led him to MCA Records in the United States, a country he made his new home.

"I was signed to MCA for three years and that took me out of Jamaica where I did a bunch of recordings and finished up an album," he said.

A brief stay working with Warner Brothers followed, and Robinson was working once again as a drummer in California and Las Vegas.

For three years, he worked as a musician with the likes of E.J. Brown. He said, "After about three years as a drummer, I walked away from the live music scene for a while. I pooled all my resources together and invested in a recording studio in Las Vegas called Tiftan Recording Studios. I didn't even look at a stage for a long time."

Another studio opening followed, this time in Detroit. From Detroit it was onto Brooklyn, New York, where he has been based for the last 14 years, producing acts such as Snoop Dogg, Shabba Ranks, Super Cat among others, for his E2 Recording Studio .

"After a while, I don't know what happened, but I wanted to get back into the singing thing, to go into the vocal booth and write songs for myself, not just playing music, and not producing other artistes," he explained.

Back to the stage

A song called Aint That Loving You brought him onto the stage again and two more albums followed called Solitude and Rude Awakening. Although having had an interesting and long career, Robinson feels he has reached new heights with Written in Stone, which released March of this year. His first singles Our Heroes, a tribute to reggae's history, and If I Follow My Heart are doing well, having peaked at No. 1 on reggae charts in New York.

"This album is commanding a certain amount of attention with limited promotion, this album has been taking off like no other before it. Right now, I just came off an East Coast tour opening for Third World and Beres Hammond on a promotional tour."

On September 27, Written in Stone brings Robinson back home to Jamaica after 16 years to promote his reggae music.

"I'm excited to come home, I've heard so much about how Jamaica has changed," he said.

His journey home will be filmed by HYPE TV.

While in Jamaica, Robinson is planning to do some work with Cleveland 'Clevie' Browne, Danny Browne, Bobby Digital, among others.