Shabba plans new album

IT has been 15 years since Shabba Ranks released a studio album. The 47 year-old Grammy-winning deejay is working on a new set which could be released in 2014.

In a recent interview with this column, Shabba spoke briefly about the project.

"I am working on numerous ideas to create hit records. A new album is always in the works, when a major record label is ready to do some business then we will see how it goes in terms of a release," he said.

Shabba had significant success with the major Epic Records which signed him in 1991. He recorded five albums for that label.

He had hit songs like Housecall and Mr Loverman during his tenure with Epic and won two Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

His deal with Epic came after dominating Jamaican charts with numerous hit songs for producers such as Bobby 'Bobby Digital' Dixon and Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke.

Last year, Shabba returned to Jamaica and turned in a show-stealing performance at Reggae Sumfest.

His next major assignment is the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival in Brooklyn, New York from August 30-September 1.

(from Jamaica Observer)