Jamaican-Venezuelan vocalist Joanna Marie kicked off 2022 by taking on John Holt‘s classic, Be Close To You (My Best Girl). Although the record has been remixed in the past by various artists, Marie is the first woman to provide a female’s take on it, which explains her title: My Best Boy (Close To You).

Her version is produced by personal and business partner Ed Robinson, who is also a recording artist in his own right. Released on January 7th, 2022, My Best Boy (Close To You), is on the Reggae Global Entertainment imprint, a label that is owned and operated by the couple. 

When asked what she would like listeners to take away from her rendition of the song, Joanna Marie said: “My twist on the song,,,, This classic sung by a woman.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “MY BEST BOY (CLOSE TO YOU)”

A couple days ago, veteran reggae artist Luciano and his team announced that they will be postponing his UK tour, which was to commence this month. Although no new dates were given, it was made clear that the deferment is due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant of the covid-19.

The previously announced roots single, Back Again by Ghanaian reggae artist Tradition Man Wolo, is now available on all streaming platforms. This is the first song from his upcoming album, which is currently being mastered. Back Again was officially released on January 3, 2022.

The timely track was inspired by recent events in the United States of America. Specifically, racial injustice and the real possibility that the reinstatement of Jim Crow laws are likely if the people do not consciously reject segregational politics. “Slavery days have come back again like a gun shot, in a different style,” is just one of the powerful lines in the song.

Back Again was produced and mixed by Bobby Roy in Stockholm, Sweden. That said, Tradition Man‘s vocals were recorded at Undercaste Studios in Shoreline, Washington (America); while the mastering was done by Mike Caplan at Lion and Fox Studios, in Washington DC.

CLICK HERE TO STREAM & DOWNLOAD “BACK AGAIN”

As his single on The Train Is Coming Riddim continues to resonate with reggae lovers all over the world; Hezron says it was inspired by his life experiences, which is all about overcoming challenges, doubts, negativity and everything associated with being defeated.

The song – titled Plant A Seed – was officially released in early September via Upstairs Music as a feature on the aforementioned reggae compilation. And although music industry insiders initially responded favorably to it, leading up to the holidays it has gotten more and more attention, so much so that it is now in heavy rotation.

When asked what he would like listeners to take away from the song, Hezron said the following: “There is an old Jamaica saying that states “Man no dead no call him duppy”. So this is what I want my listeners to take away from it. Never give up despite what people say. Stand firm and stay true to your mission or purpose. Seven times fall but Eight times rise because the more the fight or struggle is the stronger you get. They thought they buried you but they only planted a seed.”

The Train Is Coming Riddim – which is now available on all streaming platforms – also has music performed by Wayne Armond, Screwdriver, Ken Boothe, Kristine Alicia, Dwight Pinkney, AJ Brown, 2 Of A Kind, Glen Washington, Bagga Case, Marcia Ball, Skatta, Kehv, Dheapblu and Yishka.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD “THE TRAIN IS COMING RIDDIM”