‘Lightning’ strikes the right chord for Mortimer
Published:Sunday | September 1, 2019 | 12:11 AMKimberley Small - Staff Reporter
Reggae singer Mortimer just released the genre’s music’s most romantic groove, or at least that’s what some listeners are saying. The rising reggae singer has added to the genre’s wide-ranging catalogue a sweet, heart-rending melody, for all those who have been struck by love.
Lightning sounds easy, like a breeze that sings in whispers across your earlobes, with a slow groove which assures a gentle sway, demonstrated artfully in the accompanying music video (directed by Pete Beng). In the clip, Mortimer is framed against a lush countryside scene. But most pertinent is the snap of the singer taking a dip in a pool at the end of a waterfall. While in the water, he hugs a woman who looks serene, comfortably cradled. A quick shot of their wedding bands affirms that it is a real-life married couple: Mortimer and the love of his life, the woman for whom the song was written, joyously sharing each other’s company.
Positive reactions
Serene as it may be, the song strikes many chords, especially with those who are in love, or dream of being in love. Some social media reactions show fans have already dropped the new tune on their list of potential wedding songs.
“I’m just happy that it has a positive impact. I’m happy that people are loving the vibes and that they can relate and connect,” Mortimer told The Sunday Gleaner.
As Lightning leaves its scorch marks on hearts all over, Mortimer is laying tracks and making plans alongside Grammy award nominated producer, Phillip ‘Winta’ James of Overstand Records. “He’s my main producer. I’ve done work with other people but I’m a part of his label. We’re a team. It’s been a learning experience, making positive music and putting our hearts into it. We have a couple things working on, so more works in good time,” Mortimer said.
Single releases
“In good time” may be the artiste’s hallmark. Since Mortimer’s emergence on the music scene, each year has seen a significant, perhaps strategic single release.
His previous releases include Warning (2015), Ganja Train (2016), This Feeling (2017), and Careful (2018). Careful was selected as one of Apple Music’s ‘Editors Picks’ 100 best and biggest tracks of 2018.
Hopefully, “more works” will be ready for early 2020, when Mortimer intends to release his first full-length project.
“It’s going to be a little piece of my soul. My soul have all kinda things – a little romance, some rebel, a little this, a little that.”
Soulful as he sounds, the accolades this singer aspires to earn don’t necessarily resemble a golden, engraved gramophone.
“It would be nice, but the true award for me, is satisfying myself and soul - doing what my soul tells me and for Jah to be proud of what’s coming out of my mouth.
I just want to allow the music to speak to hearts and minds, to make its own natural progression.
As for future releases in 2019? The singer chose to be coy. “Who knows what might happen for the rest of the year?”