Pat Kelly (left) sang Boris Gardiner's praises at the launch of his album No Further Fears at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, last Thursday evening. - Photos by Mel Cooke

Pat Kelly made an unusually frank financial statement on his latest album, No Further Fears, at the 15-track set's official launch last Thursday night, hosted by Paula-Ann Porter.

Songs on the album include How Long, Why, Why Why, Count The Tears, Say What, Selfish, Love Me and Queen Majesty.

Kelly told those gathered in the Negril Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston, that "my album started like five years ago. It was going well until a tragedy took place, until funds ran out. I was five years in debt, to myself and my fans".

However, "miraculously someone came along".

That someone, Tyrone Smith, turned into an entity, Smith Mansion, executive producers of No Further Fears, and Kelly said "everything gelled from that day to now".

Kelly also acknowledged a debt, to those who have kept him behind the microphone. "I am indebted to my fans. Every time I get frustrated and say I am going to give up this business, they say I have a wonderful voice," Kelly said.

"I am Pat Kelly and I am proud to say I have no further fears."

Robert Gordon of Smith Mansion said that while it is commonplace to refer to doing something as a 'labour of love', "this album was made on love; no labour was involved".

"One would never associate Pat Kelly's singing with work," Gordon said. "I have never seen him break a sweat. He makes it look so easy."

Distinguished career

Guest speaker Professor Carolyn Cooper pointed to "the long and distinguished career of a classic Jamaican songwriter and vocalist", grounded in an era when "a favourite theme of the '60s was love - love won and love lost".

Cooper said the title, No Further Fears, is intriguing. She said that one thing Kelly would not have had to fear is the Broadcasting Commission, not with the content of a set that is "a seductive blend" of several genres of Jamaican music.

"I know plenty romping has been done to all styles of Jamaican music," Cooper said, noting that Pat Kelly is into 'romping', not 'ramping'. "What a difference a vowel makes from Jamaican to English," Cooper said.

And Cooper said she hopes that No Further Fears will serve as a great soundtrack for many hours of unbridled romping.

Song followed speech as Gumption Band took the stand and Javante Campbell ended his two-song stint with Leaving on a Jet Plane. Female trio Group H's second song was Still Together and Robert Ffrench declared "them no rough like we".

Kelly was smiling as he started out with How Long, the trademark falsetto in full effect. Kelly pulled Boris Gardiner to his feet to publicly acknowledge the singer and bass player's contribution to his career, from the early days at Duke Reid's Treasure Isle, before doing Why Why Why.

And Pat Kelly sat beside Professor Cooper to sing her a slow song, relocating to share the music with his lady, also sitting in the audience.

Pat Kelly (right) sings to Professor Carolyn Cooper at his album launch. Cooper was the guest speaker at the function.