Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Mr Perfect - file

THE HOMICIDE figures for May (nearly 200 murders) startled many Jamaicans, even those who have become accustomed to years of horrifying statistics. Among the shocked was singer Mr Perfect.

So shocked that he wrote Sweet Jamaica which was recorded in June, just days after the police released the disturbing figures that pushed the murder tally past the 800 mark.

"With the crime situation, I feel the time is right for such a song. We live in a country where anything can happen," Mr Perfect told The Gleaner.

Sweet Jamaica is an acoustic number that also features American guitarist Tony Difeo. It will be released in two weeks, but has already been sent to local radio; it hasn't exactly been burning up the airwaves.

That does not disturb Mr Perfect.

"I'm not bothered by that (lack of airplay), it doesn't matter. I'm a serious artiste, part of my job is to write good songs," he said.

Self-produced, Sweet Jamaica is a heartfelt plea from Mr Perfect for a return to sanity in his country. He not only bemoans the anarchistic state to which it has fallen, but takes on critics of dancehall music who blame the genre for much of Jamaica's social ills.

Getting a bad rap

"It's getting a bad rap because of some derogatory things some artistes have put on record, but its not the dancehall people creating the mayhem. The bigger heads help start it, dem should clean it up," Mr Perfect reasoned.

The Rastafarian singer, whose real name is Greg Rose, left for an 18-date tour of Europe last week. The opening date was scheduled for Galipoli, Italy, with the closing show in Germany on September 9.

Sweet Jamaica is a departure from Handcart Bwoy, which gave Mr Perfect his first taste of chart action in late 2004. That song spoke of a girl's reluctant affection for a market peddler.

One of his follow-ups, Amerimaka, was far more serious. It dealt with the 'politricks' at the United States Embassy in St Andrew which refused to grant him a visa in 2006.

Handcart Bwoy is still the best known song by 'Perfect', who was born in Bamboo, St Ann, where he grew up listening to roots-reggae legends Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff and Jacob Miller, and new-wave Rasta wailers like Garnet Silk and Buju Banton.

Handcart Bwoy was recorded six years after he cut an album of songs for a Miami producer, that was never released. Recordings for various producers followed but none made any impact until he met Glenis Gooden whose Rebel Music company produced and released his breakthrough hit.

To date, Mr Perfect has released two albums: Gidimani and Born Dead With Life.