Entertainment

Cultures merge with Spanish reggae band Canaman

By GERMAINE SMITH, Staff Reporter

MARCIA GRIFFITHS, LOUIE Culture, and other Reggae giants have been added to a Reggae album made by prominent Spanish Reggae band Canaman.

The album, titled Fronteras was recorded here in Jamaica and features the production skills of Sly and Robbie, plus the vocals of a few of our leading artistes.

The project was put together by Spain native but Jamaican resident Fernando Garcia, a man who told THE STAR that his consuming hunger for Reggae music made him do it. Since coming here from Spain a decade ago, he has put down a few roots here, and has been hooked on Reggae ever since.

"I started coming to Jamaica at age 15 or 16 and just got interested in Bob Marley's music. I fell in love with the music of people like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs and a lot more."

He learnt basic English while attending school in Spain, but admittedly has learnt volumes more since his frequent visits to Jamaica. The album idea he says came through his close association with some of the main faces of Reggae.

Jamaican ties

"Canaman is like the main reggae band in Spain over the years," he noted. "They approached me some time ago because of my ties with Jamaica and asked if I could produce a Reggae album and I agreed."

These 'ties' as he noted came through noted percussionist Bongo Herman, whom he met once as he played in Capleton's band while on tour in Spain a few years back. Bongo has since acted as a guide and liaison for the groundwork of the album.

He was able to get the musical backing of Sly and Robbie to record Anthony B, Capleton, Marcia Griffiths, and Louie Culture. For Capleton's track, Fiesta Rasta, Garcia produced a music video which is due for release soon.

"It was much easier than I expected. We thought some of these artistes would be hard to work with but they are easy going with us."

The other tracks from 'Fronteras' feature Spanish lyrics set to distinctive reggae beats. The plan according to Garcia, is to sell reggae to a spanish market not traditionally reached by mainstream reggae.

"We plan to promote the album here first and then in Europe. As you know you have to make it here first. If it takes off here it will make it in Europe."

"We want to target Latin America with it so that we can spread Reggae music in these countries. This I feel is a good marketing tool for the music."