Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Reggae soul singer Selah. - Contributed

His name suggests spirituality and his phenomenal sound stimulates a new generation of music lovers who seek to hear something new.

With a combination of the Rastafarian faith and his soulful reggae music, Selah offers a brand new genre which has been generating a lot of buzz in local and international markets.

Selah is a Hebrew word which means 'pause, reflection', this in the context of prayerful psalms, and as his name suggests, he seeks to bring across a message that causes one to do just that, pause and reflect.

"I am a Rastafarian, it is not a hair doctrine with me. Nuh true yuh si mi pierce two a mi ears, now a modern time ... and reggae soul is a new genre that is set to take over the world, it's very powerful," he said.

Selah is best known for his single entitled Think About It (the video directed by Ras Kassa) that has currently been doing well locally.

His Chosen Role

Selah says he takes his chosen role in music very seriously and, "Every artiste should see himself as a messenger, as a servant to speak to the people, to give them advice and positive messages. That's what I try to do, try to be positive, and inform and uplift the youths."

He began growing his 'covenant' five years ago in a move to explore the Rastafarian philosophy of living deeper, and he has not regretted it.

Born Chevan Gaunlette Clarke, Selah hails from the Old Capital, Spanish Town, and like most musicians, got his musical call at a very young age and thrilled every ear that caught wind of his singing.

His first recording came in 1990 when he voiced a song called Sad Day with Spanish Town-based sound system, 'Impression'.

Two years later, the talented youngster entered and won the semi-finals of the Tastee Talent contest with the cover, When I See You Smile.

Since then he has been in hot pursuit of his dreams of being a world-renowned artiste.

Selah has toured with international stars like Wayne Wonder and collaborated and performed with Miss Dynamite at her debut concert at the Brixton Academy, after recording a duet with her called Unite.

Selah also appeared on the popular MTV-based lounge while in England, and was also signed to Vibz Corner Production.

He has since moved on and is currently signed to P & L Records.

"Right now, I am trying to play a role in the evolution of reggae music. It was hard to do my type of music at first and get any recognition in England. I tried but things just didn't come together because it's hard for a black man to get through the gate," he said.

Now back home, Selah intends to make it on the international music scene.

He currently has a CD with a compilation of original songs, which he describes as "lovers rock blended with social commentary."

Locally, Selah performed at the launch of the MTV Network Channel Tempo, dubbed 'Caribbean Rising', held at the James Bond Beach in Oracabessa, St. Mary, in October of last year.

He was also one of the main acts at the recent bmobile High School Tour which sought to promote non-violence in schools.

Under the supervision of his new management team, P & L Records Ltd., Selah is poised for big things.

He says, "I am just giving thanks right now to Jah, I like the direction that my career is heading in, and I have lots of music left in me, reggae-soul is going to be the next big thing."