Lafayette uses technology to realise visions

The cover of Third World's 1977 album 96o in the Shade is permanently etched in the mind of broadcaster, singer, and producer Patrick LaFayette, who is now blind. He enthusiastically describes the "stick man" who is central to the cover art, and, again with vivid recall of detail, waxes warm about the cover art of Stevie Wonder's 1976 set Songs in the Key of Life. A small picture of Wonder, wearing glasses, is set in the centre of swirling circles of colour. The year after the album's release, LaFayette had more than a love of music in common with Stevie Wonder.

"In 1977, I lost my sight to detached retinas. There are a couple things that left indelible marks," Lafayette said. Over four decades later, his passions - family and music primary among them - have come together in a way that could be like the title of a single started by Lafayette in New York and sent to musicians around the world who are also blind for their input - Like a Volcano. Last year he was featured extensively by technology superpower Apple, using its products. Last month, he was honoured in New York for his contribution to Jamaican culture, and in August, he released his most recent single, Love Ain't Easy.

That is the latest step in a long-term album project. Lafayette, laughing heartily, said that he had been working on it since doing a first single with American singer Betty Wright in 1987. "I am hoping very, very much for the spring of 2019," he said.

Technology enables Lafayette to not only produce music, but run the online radio station www.chrismixradio.com and have the relationship with his family which he wants. In the 'Designed for Patrick L.' video posted on YouTube by Apple, which has over 750,000 views, he says, "To do something for yourself is one of the greatest things you could ever do." Much of that has to do with family, as he says "it's a big thing when you are a father and you want to participate, not just make food, but make excellent food, where I see my wife take her shoes off and say, 'gimme some more,' and my kids lick their chops and say, 'Daddy that was great'."

"I refer to the iPhone not as a phone, but as a body part," Lafayette told The Sunday Gleaner.

PERSISTENT REQUEST

The video and an in-store demonstration of using Apple's products followed a persistent request for contact that began via the Internet, continued with a phone call, and led to a video crew knocking on Lafayette's door in New York. First, there were five people on the production team, and then there were 25 plus his family, flown in from Jamaica.

Family was also involved when Lafayette went into an Apple store in Manhattan to do a live demonstration. "When I stepped in with my son, he said 'Oh my God, Dad! There is this huge screen, ceiling to floor, in the store with your image." He was also on the website for a week, a pace that Lafayette was assured is the preserve of superstars.

He described the movement of Like a Volcano like the intercontinental travel of a human being, identifying the input from his vocals, lyrics, and acoustic guitar in New York, to drums, bass, saxophone, harmonies, and more, in other parts of the USA, England, and Jamaica. "We were all using Apple tools," Lafayette said.

He is hoping Like a Volcano will be on the album and is also determined that Betty Wright will be involved in the full-length project. "That is my mother in the industry," Lafayette said, noting the mentorship of himself and Kevin Blakey.