Zamunda advocates for more live studio production
Artiste promotes new album while calling for industry to pay more attention to production
Published:Sunday | February 26, 2023 | 1:09 AMAaliyah Cunningham - Gleaner Writer
Reggae and dancehall music has commonly been used to showcase the soul of those involved in a particular project. But, according to singer, songwriter and producer Zamunda in a sit-down with The Sunday Gleaner, the straying away from live studio recorded bodies of work, and proper production, has added in the decline of the heart in a sound that the world has come to love.
“That is the reason why Afrobeats is taking over because, if you listen to their production, it is well put together. So, for me now, I think what has been the downfall of our music and dancehall music is because of the mindset of the youths dem now is too lazy. Back in the days, you used to have to deejay for the gateman then the gateman has to pass you, then, when you go into the yard, you deejay for the man in the yard before you can go into the studio. But, these days, these youth just make some money and buy two box and a laptop and go in the studio and say dem a artiste. So that’s what causing the big problem in our music today. We are not spending time on the production. It takes time and it takes money, but it is something that lasts forever,” Zamunda sated.
Earlier in February, Zamunda released his live studio album titled Jah Love Surrounds Me, which he says he put together primarily in the pandemic as he sought to continue creating soul music that lasts a lifetime.
“I spent most of the lockdown creating because, knowing that the place is locked down and you cannot go anywhere, I know that time is everything. So I try to utilise my time positively and wisely. So this whole body of work, this 15-track live studio album, is my pandemic project,” Zamunda said.
“To be honest you know, it is a masterpiece. This album is like a journey, my life’s journey, so something is on this album for everyone. The females, the lovers, the struggle, some dance music is on it and we have collaborations with like Popcaan, Jah Cure, Christopher Martin, Jah Cure, Loui Culture, Kumar,” the artiste continued.
Unable to pick a track that is his favourite, he deduced that, because of the effort and energy that went into its production, all the tunes connect the dots of his life.
“We have some of the best musicians on this live album. Every single top musician is on this album. I don’t really have a favourite. Every song has a different vibration and a different feel. I never just rushed into the studio to make an album. So all the different phases of life and expression are included. So, for me, this album was quite a journey,” he shared.
Revealing a little bit about his background, the artiste, whose name real name is Christopher Gayle, said that he continues to push himself in the music business.
“I am a humble little Rasta youth that forward from Claremont, St Ann, close to Nine Mile where Bob Marley was from. Growing up in humble beginning, my father had 15 of us and so it was rough. I decided at a tender age that I want to be able to make a change for my family. I want to be somebody. It was hard but we do what we must and give thanks for the outcome and what the Almighty has blessed us with and all that he has in store,” he shared.
He also added that it was his spirit and love for the art of making music that allowed him to seamlessly connect and work some of the artistes featured on the project.
“I know artistes have big egos and ting, so my circle is very small. I deal with everybody but I don’t really call a lot of people my friend, so this album is just family vibes - people I have known for over a decade and are my brothers and mentors. There was no trying to reach out to an artiste, everything just happened naturally,” Zamunda said.
As for his push for live music, he encourages his colleagues to remember the original way..
“When you say live, it speaks volumes right. So if you are not alive, I don’t know where you are. We still listen to the greats today ... the Whitney Houston, the James Brown, the Sammy Davis Junior ... and the music still sounds the same because the production is a very important part of the music. I could never cheat the music because it is what has done everything for us. So why when we make the money from the music, we afraid to put it back in?” he asked.