Dancehall producer sets sights on house music

Back from a hiatus of almost two years, producer and disc jock Mario 'Mario C' Campbell has begun work on a house-music album.

Having produced several top acts such as Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Vybz Kartel, Mavado and Morgan Heritage and played on 3rd Dimension Entertainment, Campbell said he decided to take a break from producing. This break lasted for almost two years. On his return, Campbell scored hits with Go Go Club and Let's Go To The Beach from Beenie Man.

Despite the recent success, the producer said all his focus is now on his upcoming house-music album to be released in April next year.

Campbell, who was trained as a sound engineer at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, said his love for house music began during college.

"During college in Florida, house music was the prominent genre. You really couldn't escape it. I just got fond of it," said Campbell, who is also the owner of 357 Records.

Genres embraced

Additional motivation for the album, he said, came from being part of 3rd Dimension Entertainment, alongside Kurt Riley, Kamal Bankay, Jason Palmer and T-Cue. He said the sound system plays house music at many events and he realises that pop and house music are being embraced by Jamaicans.

Already having a love for house music, Campbell said he wanted to evolve and take his talent as far as possible. This has come in the form of the project that he refers to as 'Jam House'.

He said it is a fusion of dancehall and house music and he hopes his Caribbean audience will appreciate it.

"I want to start with my Caribbean people. From there, hopefully we can reach out to Europe and the Americas. I am hoping that it will be the next genre in Jamaica. I hope it will be a staple in the dancehall," he told The Gleaner.

"I am not sure how well they will respond, but there are enough elements that they are familiar with in the production so it wouldn't be so alien to them (Jamaican audiences)."

Faster beat

In essence, Campbell said 'Jam House' is really artistes deejaying on a faster beat. He added that the album will also have artistes that the general public will be familiar with, as he has already voiced Beenie Man and plans to record Mad Cobra soon. He said he will also be pairing more established acts with younger artistes.

The first release from the 12-track album is Contagious by Mr Lexx and Alicia. So far, he said the response has been positive.

"I like where we are at. I have not had any cause for concern. It's in the embryonic stages and, where we have got so far, I am pleased. I hope Jamaica embraces it and I am confident that they will," Campbell said.

Despite the success that he expects to gain from the 'Jam House' album, Campbell said he still has high interests in the mainstream dancehall market.

"This is my main focus now, but I am going to put out a dancehall juggling after this album is released. I am not leaving out dancehall. I am going to come hard next year. I don't want to be known for doing the same thing," he said.