This week we have a conversation with Jamaican Singer-Songwriter David M.  He has a unique sound which incorporates an eclectic creative mix of R&B and Reggae in his music. Here is our conversation with David M.

Tell us about your background and how did you get started singing and writing songs?
I started playing piano at age 6.I was always playing piano and or singing at our local festival competition and the Institute of Jamaica & even on T.V. By age 16 I was playing piano for our Jamaica School of Music Youth Orchestra.
I went to my first recording studio at 17 and got bitten with the bug to write, play & record that day. I was signed in my 20s to Anchor Recording as a songwriter /producer and went on to write for Dennis Brown, Cocoa Tea, Gregory Isaacs, and Freddie Mcgregor. I did a compilation song for Shabba & JC Lodge among others.

How would you describe your sound?

My sound is a mix of Reggae, R&B & Dance.

You sing R&B and Reggae and everything in between. What genre do you like best?

Don’t think I have a Favourite, I like all types of music.

Tell how about the song on your upcoming “”Here comes your life”?

‘Here comes your life’ is a song about a woman whose part has come back to haunt her in her present life. The raw release is a remix in Dance/Rhythmic genre.

You have some guest artists who are feature in “Here comes your life”. Do you want to tell us who they are?
Diana King sings on ‘Here comes your life’ and we have done a remix with Beenie Man.

What was it like working with Beenie Man and Diana King?
Diana is an old friend and did the backup for this sometime ago. We both met through Handel Tucker years ago. Beenieman came on this project and of course I am honoured to work with the ‘King of the Dancehall’. Working with him was great and Serani dropped in on the session too, so it was an all-star night.Sly also does percussions on the club version and Lenkey Marsden co-produced the track.

 
Are there any other artists featured on the upcoming album?
Dean Fraser plays on a ballad ‘Playing to the Moon’ and his sax takes that song away. There is also another guest artist on another song but that will be a surprise. Bowie McLaughlin co-produces and plays on the album. Also Gibby Morrison, Khan Chin, Kirk Bennett on drums, Danny Dennis, Michael Fletcher and Sherita Lewis does Backup vocals on a few songs, love Sherita’s voice to death.

You have a few singles out there. Will they be a part of this album?
‘Lest we forget’ will be on the album as will ‘This is Our World’ which was used by the United Nations Players for Peace Programme.
There is also a lot of new material not yet heard including a tribute song to Bob Marley.

You written quite a few songs for other famous reggae artists.  If you had the choice between singing and songwriting which one wins?
Songwriting wins. I love creating a song, words & music from scratch & then going to the studio to record it. Singing and or performing take 2nd place.

I know it is early in your career but what is your proudest moment so far?

A couple proud moments include : Performing at Rebel Salute; first performance of ‘Lest We Forget’ in front of Jamaica; Performing Lest We Forget’ on NBC late night; Presenting the video and having it play on screen at the Martin Luther King Awards in New York and being a special guest of the Kings that night.

What projects are you working on right now?
I am working on finishing my album and promoting Here comes your Life.

If you were stuck on a desert island and given the choice of 2 albums to put on your ipod which artist would it be?
Bob Marley

How would you describe your own personal fashion style?
Fashion style- relaxed…..I can always work with jeans.

If  you wanted to impress a first time visitor to Jamaica you would take them to….

I would take them to the Blue Mountains and 7mile Beach in Negril,but a million places in between as well, many off the beaten path.

Growing up my hero was…
Growing up my heroes were my Dad, Brother and Mother.

The most famous person you have met so far is …
I have met some of the King family at the MLK awards and a few A list performers but not so much into trying to meet famous people. I am really proud of our own Usain Bolt though.

A movie I never get tired of watching is…
The movie that moved me the most is probably Schindler’s List.

Thanks for your time.