Guests given choice at 'Big Deal' launch

Christopher Martin's debut album was launched at the Spanish Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Wednesday night and it was a 'big deal' experience.

Headphones issued to guests on arrival signalled that it would be a listening party with a difference and it was. Persons could listen at their own pace without distractions and, when they were ready to mingle, remove the headphones.

Martin explained that the album, although heavily injected with reggae music, also has the sweet flavours of other genres. "I love to call my kind of music 'sugar reggae'. It's not dancehall, it's not full reggae, it's not roots and it's not lovers' rock," he explained. "It's like a whole combination of everything in one. It's sweet undiluted lover's music coming at you slow."

With songs such as Magic and Lady of the Night, Martin shows his maturity, dabbling on the edge of raunchiness, provoking the imaginations of his adult audience while still maintaining a level of wholesomeness appreciated by those who have zero tolerance for slack lyrics. "I feel like I'm at a stage in my career now that I can tread the lines a little bit ... Still clean, but very provocative," he said.

EXPECTATIONS SURPASSED

"It has already surpassed my expectations. On the day of its release, it was number one in Japan, number two in the UK and number two in Canada and that was just the first day," he said. "If I was to complain, I'd be ungrateful."

Martin told The Gleaner he would love if persons actually buy the album, but his measurement of success will not come from sales. "A nuh say we nah watch album sales y'nuh, because it's really nice when your album move units. But to me, as long as the music reaches to the masses, I'm pleased," he said.

"It has been a wonderful ride since I left Back Pastures. I've got the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people, to travel to so many wonderful places and just enjoy life in a different way I never thought possible."