‘Make Believe’ delves into issues of love
Many creative partnerships are born in recording studios. That is exactly what happened with producer Damion ‘TheRealTraxx’ Nelson and Lymie Murray, who combine for Make Believe, the latter’s latest song.
Murray sings about a relationship gone wrong to an uptempo, popsounding beat. Nelson, who is based in the US, said it was smooth working with Murray, whom he met several years ago while working as an engineer with producer Clive Hunt.
“The making of the song was just straightforward and effortless. I was going through beats one night and he (Murray) said let’s do a song after hearing a melody, just on acoustic guitars. So we made it pretty quickly, as the first line summed up the song pretty much,” he said.
Like Hunt, Nelson hails from the Linstead area of St Catherine which has produced a number of reggae greats, including singers Joseph Hill of Culture and Phyllis Dillon. After apprenticeships with Hunt, Sly Dunbar and Computer Paul, he started his Breaking Records llc label and branched out as a producer.
As an engineer/producer, Nelson has worked with Luciano, D’Angel, Shawn Storm, Sanjay and Devonte. For Make Believe, he called on Murray, a veteran vocalist who has done songs for reggae’s top producers. Nelson believes many people can relate to the song’s theme. “It delves into the theme of selfdeception versus the painful truth of unrequited love and the strength it takes to walk away from it,” he explained. “I believe Make Believe touches anyone who’s ever found themselves holding on to a love that wasn’t real. It’s a universal experience, the hope and the heartache of love, and the song gives voice to that emotional journey.”