Kurency no longer alone
after a bout of soul-searching, singer Kurency decided to recall that down period in his life in song. All Alone, produced by KP “Swagg” Mcdonald, was released in March.
Kurency said he wants to show persons who are experiencing similar moods that faith and resilience will get them through.
“The song was inspired by a personal experience, because I was feeling alone at one point. But then I said to myself, ‘what about the people that have no one around literally’. And that brought me to, ‘reach too far to give up now’,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
All Alone is the St Thomas-born artiste’s second song for Mcdonald’s Trymoneymusiq label. Pull Up, the first, was released one year ago; Higher,a
third single for that camp, was released on May 6.
From the village of Somerset, Kurency was raised on the sounds of Richie Spice, Vybz Kartel, Chronic Law, and Masicka. He began recording in
2016 but it was not until three years later that his songs were released.
His delivery, unlike most of his musical heroes, is geared at a mainstream audience.
“I would describe my sound as smooth, easy on the ears, lyrically-unique and happy,” said Kurency.
Philippines and Happy Time, other Kurency songs, were released in 2020.
LONG before Jacob “Jakes” Miller became a household name, he persistently kept knocking at the door to stardom.
One year into his teens, the singer started his musical journey when he recorded Love is A Message for producer Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Studio One label.
“It [the song] never gwaan wid nothing too big but it opened a channel fi people sey: ‘Who dis likkle youth?’,” Ian Lewis, co-founder and bass guitarist of Inner Circle, told the Jamaica Observer. “Jakes have a helluva falsetto voice.”
Also taking note of Miller was dub visionary Augustus Pablo and his brother Garth Swaby, who owned Rockers sound system and label.
“Jakes lick it [Love is A Message] over fi Pablo an’ called it Keep on Knocking,” disclosed Lewis.
The Pablo version had a militant feel, according to the bass guitarist.
Lewis and his brother, guitarist Roger Lewis, formed Inner Circle in 1968. Ian Lewis remembers their initial meeting with Miller.
“Wi never check him age but wi met him when he was about 18. He would turn up at every concert an’ would come to us an’ sey: ‘Nuhbody cyaan sing fi dah group yah like me,’ “he recalled.
Miller’s wish came through and he joined the outfit in the mid-1970s. Roger Lewis said he brought a new energy to the band.
“He met us an’ he started hanging around. He used to mimic the music climate of the day … Jacob would come around and laugh and we used to say: ‘This bredda a joker,’ until eventually he just blended in. He used to live on Rosseau Road [in Kingston] then he started living with us, until he started singing with us! At that time, Bunny Clarke [Bunny Rugs] used to be one of the main singers, and it came to a point where we had to decide between him an’ Jakes, and we chose Jakes,” he recalled.
The decision paid dividends. Their hits included Tenement Yard and Tired Fi Lick Weed
In A Bush. As a solo act Miller had success with Forward Jah Jah Children, and All Night ‘Till Daylight.
“He brought youth, exuberance, and vibes. We always used to say, ‘Jakes, why yuh always sound like Dennis Brown?’ and he would say: ‘Dennis Brown sound like me!’ One of his greatest performances was the One Love Peace Concert. I like to go back and watch them [the performances] online from time to time. There was a serious side to him but he was more of a joker and prankster. Jacob was always positive, always lifted your spirits. That summed him up. He was hardly ever down,” reminisced Roger Lewis.
Miller was with Inner Circle until his untimely death on
March 23 1980 in a car crash. He was 27.
In 2019 Miller and the Lewis brothers were conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer for their contribution to Jamaica’s music.
In March, Miller was recognised by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) as one of its Male Icons.