Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Richie Stephens

Guest speaker Clyde McKenzie pointed out that yesterday's launch of Richie Stephens' Come to Jamaica at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, Hope Road, St Andrew, was a "different approach" - and it was.

Although the album was central to the whole affair, Stephens organised a 'Jamaica Sinting' to celebrate the country's culture in a family setting, the fife and drums of a Jonkanoo band and the squeals of scampering children as they fled before the approach of the various characters, a backdrop to the official launch proceedings.

It is all here

And when he spoke, Stephens pointed out that "who don't know a folk band, mento band, Jonkanoo, it is all here".

A full scale concert was held in the evening, with Stephens performing some of the tracks from Come to Jamaica, as well as some of his musical friends putting in an appearance.

Stephens pointed out that many people have not been pleased by the direction Jamaican music has taken recently, but "I'm not here to complain or put no strain on no brain. We have to do the thing like how it's supposed to be done".

He pointed out that he had combined different genres of Jamaican music, from mento to ska to dancehall, on Come To Jamaica and reminded all of some of the title track's lyrics, concluding with "when it comes to the track we won't back down".

And that was written long before Jamaica's phenomenal performance at the Beijing Olympics. "Look how long we a sey dem ting deh," Stephens said. He pointed out that since the Olympics many people have done songs about Jamaica, asking "can you imagine if we as singers keep singing about the positive vibe in Jamaica?"

Sing about Jamaica

"I appeal to all my brethrens, not only when the Reggae Boyz are doing well and the athletes doing well you must sing about Jamaica," he said.

At the launch, hosted by Rohan Daley and Winford Williams of CVM Television, Irwine Clare of Team Jamaica, Stephens was described as "someone who continues to epitomise Jamaica at the highest level. He believes in Jamaica and demonstrates this not only in his music, but his deeds".

And Ian Lyn of Motor Sales reminded entertainers that they should keep their music "as clean as you can keep it, the money will back it".

"He is keeping it clean, keeping it good," Lyn said about Stephens.

Joy Sharpe of Air Jamaica also pointed out how clean and wholesome Richie Stephens' music is and said "this is what Jamaica is about and this is what we have to get ourselves back to".