Album release hampered by thieves

Edge Michael loses equipment worth millions

Western Bureau:

Three weeks after his philanthropic effort to assist the children of the Blossom Garden Children Home in Montego Bay, reggae musician Edge Michael was hit by the theft of recording equipment from his home over the weekend, said to value millions.

This has put a dent in his album project, as he is expected to release his sixth reggae album in March 2013.

The Killsome City musician revealed that he was in Kingston, from Thursday through to Sunday because of his appearance on the recently concluded Peter Tosh celebration concert, when the incident occurred.

"Jah know, I am at a loss for words right now, 'cause this is not the first time something like this has happened. Persons have broken into my car and van on three different occasions in the past, but this time it was worse," a devastated Edge Michael revealed.

He reported that when he came home on Sunday night he found his home ransacked and recording equipment missing.

Two recording microphones, three external terabyte hard drives with beats and recording files, a custom-built computer valued at US$6,500, a pair of HS10 studio speakers along with monitors and subwoofers were gone.

The total value of the equipment Edge confirmed was approximately US$25,000 or more than $2 million.

"Months of work is stored on the devices stolen. That is the hard part in all of this, and while I have some of the files on a different backup system it is still a huge setback," said the singer and songwriter.

Edge Michael, whose real name is Oral Durloo, is known for hits such as Mi Nah Talk and his recent hit Killsome City and is also the nephew of famed musical legend Peter Tosh.

He recently donated over $50,000 worth of supplies to the Blossom Garden Children Home.

"Despite the huge setback, I'm still putting in the work that needs to be done to maintain the schedule for the album release. This will not stop me or my efforts to put out good music. It is just very unfortunate, and, in spite of it all, I will pull through it," said Edge Michael.

(from Jamaica Gleaner)