ACTOR MATTHEW McConaughey has stepped into the world of reggae. The star of films such as Dazed and Confused and The Wedding Planner, is co-producer of Above The Bones, the new album by Canadian reggae singer/songwriter Mishka.

Mishka is the first act signed to McConaughey's Just Keep Livin' label. Last Thursday, McConaughey introduced the singer on the popular Jimmy Kimmel show.

McConaughey told Kimmel that he first heard Mishka's music during a trip to Jamaica in 2000.

"It really turned me on and moved me and made a lot of sense to me ... and I wanted to hear more of it. I went looking for this guy (but) I couldn't find an album, I couldn't find him, I called record companies (and) no one knew where he was," he said.

Inspired

Four years later, McConaughey said he met Mishka at a show in Dublin, Ireland where he was opening act for Sly and Robbie.

Mishka was born in Bermuda to a Bermudian father and Canadian mother.

According to his website, Mishka's sound is inspired by the pop of British bands like Roxy Music and roots-reggae legends Bob Marley and Burning Spear.

Two songs from Above The Bones - Coastline Journey and Third Eye Vision - are featured in McConaughey's latest movie Surfer Dude.

Above The Bones will be released in the United States today.