Screwdriver

South Florida roots singer Screwdriver has recorded a version of Don't Turn Around, the song that has been a hit for several artistes including British reggae band Aswad.

Screwdriver (real name Dalton Lindo) remembers rocking to the Aswad version over 20 years ago. Recently, he decided to produce his own version.

"I always loved the song. I made a few changes but people can still dance to it," Screwdriver told The Gleaner recently from Fort Lauderdale.

But for the drums which were programmed, Don't Turn Around Screwdriver-style was recorded live and features African-American rapper Lion. It is scheduled to be released this week in the United States on the singer's MoJah label.

Don't Turn Around has an interesting story. Written by the prolific Diane Warren, it was originally recorded in 1986 by superstar Tina Turner as the B-side to her song Typical Male.

Two years later, Aswad cut Don't Turn Around for their Distant Thunder album. Their synthesiser-laced version entered the Top 10 of the British pop chart and also made Billboard magazine's Rhythm and Blues chart.

Don't Turn Around's club sound was a departure from the drum and bass roots feel Aswad was known for in Britain and Europe. It remains their biggest hit and spurred Distant Thunder to sales of over 500,000 units, earning the group a gold record.

Over the years, a diverse list of artistes including Bonnie Tyler, Neil Diamond, Luther Ingram and the Swedish group Ace of Base have had success with the song. The Ace of Base edition has been the biggest seller, peaking at number four on the Billboard pop chart during the late 1990s.

Outstanding albums

The St James-born Screwdriver had his biggest hit song 20 years ago with the catchy No Mama (Sharon Yuh Pregnant). He immigrated to south Florida in the early 1990s, converted to Rastafari and recorded two outstanding albums: Let Me Remind You and Prophecy.

Last year, he recorded Jah Send Him Come in tribute to Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. Never Give Up, a song he did with Inner Circle, is the lead single from that band's new State Of Da World album.