Tennesia Malcolm, Gleaner Writer

Dean Fraser - File

"Long and short of it is that we a try put the music on a level. We are trying to make a statement with what we do."

Those are saxophonist Dean Fraser's simple words on his role as a record producer who has been making quiet strides lately.

And, if Tarrus Riley's recent clean-up at the Reggae Academy Awards is anything to go by, then statements are indeed being made. The singer's She's Royal, a track produced by Fraser for his Cannon label, was on everyone's lips in 2007.

Riley won four awards at the February 24 show.

The 52-year-old Fraser says his aim is to make music which targets everyone, from babies to centenarians. He is proud of She's Royal's success and broad appeal; there is a soca version of the ballad done by Byron Lee and the Dragonaires.

Fraser says he is always prepared to make good music and to that end, the sax man employs a formula of live music.

"We want to go back to basics. I think more acoustic music, with musicians, soul," he said.

He points out that computerised music, if done properly, has its place, as he uses drum machines for a certain sound or feel.

"People tend to say there's a lot of computerised music, but drum machines have to be programmed. If you apply yourself, the music can be as good," he explains.

Young talent

Recently, Fraser has worked with some of the best young talent in reggae, including Riley whose impressive Parables album he produced. Besides Riley, former To-Isis singer Duane Stephenson and judge-turned-singer Carol Gonzalez have benefited from his expertise. He's working, too, with Shirley Willis, the former Grace Thrillers matriarch who is now flying solo.

"I'm here to highlight young talent; make them feel at home," he said. "I'm trying to make youngsters understand that this music business is a big business."

In terms of selecting who he works with, Fraser says, for the most part, they choose to work with him.

"We don't necessarily succeed all the time but we try to make music for longevity," he said. "We're not in the disposable thing. We hope that in another 30 years, She's Royal will be like a (producer Clement Dodd) Coxsone tune," Fraser added.

The in-demand producer takes nothing from his colleagues. He mentions Don Corleone, Robert Livingston, Christopher Birch and Stephen McGregor as among the producers he admires.

He also addressed recent attacks against dancehall music, which critics say is influencing violence with its negative content.

"If you have a problem with the content of a song, it doesn't mean the music is changing for the worst. People are being influenced by everything, by other people, politicians, schoolteachers (not just music)," he says.

Lyrical content

But he does admit that persons who publish questionable lyrical content will have to take responsibility.

"When a man get up and deejay certain lyrics, he's responsible for whatever he says. He will have to take responsibility for that."

Fraser has several projects in the pipeline, such as a She's Royal compilation track which will feature female artistes. There is also an instrumental Tribute to Jackie Mittoo set, and Luciano's new album Jah is My Navigator.

Blow mr horn man, blow

Dean Fraser hails from Trench Town.

Was a member of the Sonny Bradshaw Band.

Founding member of the 809 Band which also included guitarist Lebert 'Gibby' Morrison and current Jamaica Federation of Musicians' Desi Young.

Has recorded two instrumental tribute albums to Bob Marley: Dean Plays Bob and Dean Plays Bob Volume II.

Played the sax on Sly and Robbie's classic Unmetred Taxi.

His first album, Black Horn Man, was produced by Joe Gibbs.