In The Mood, the six-track collaborative EP by Hopeton Lindo and Fiona, has been officially reissued and distributed by Zojak Worldwide. Originally released to strong acclaim, the project returns due to continued popular demand.
The EP features the standout tracks “Guilty” and “In Your Eyes,” both of which topped charts in New York and South Florida, establishing the duo as a formidable musical pairing. Lindo produced four of the six tracks under his Irie Pen Records imprint, while “In Your Eyes” and the title track “In The Mood,” both written by Lindo, were produced by Taxi/One Pop Records.
In The Mood also includes carefully selected covers, among them a soulful interpretation of the Billy Davis and Marilyn McCoo classic “You Don’t Have to Be A Star,” and a smooth lovers rock rendition of “Yes I’m Ready,” originally recorded by Barbara Mason.
According to Lindo, the collaboration with Fiona was built on a strong musical connection that extended to the musicians involved in the project. The EP features contributions from legendary drum and bass duo Sly and Robbie, alongside respected guitarists Willie Lindo and Paul Gauntlett.
“The chemistry between Fiona and I comes naturally,” said Lindo. “The vibes between the musicians and producers on this project are great. We’re all professionals and good friends who respect each other.”
That chemistry is evident from the opening track, “You Don’t Have to Be A Star.” Veteran sound system selector Andre ‘Waggy Tee’ Chue Sang suggested the duo add a Jamaican flavour to the Grammy Award-winning classic, a recommendation that resulted in a refreshing and well-received reinterpretation.
Fiona echoed Lindo’s sentiments, noting that their shared musical philosophy played a key role in the project’s success. “The chemistry is automatic because our love for music guides everything—from lyrics to content—especially when we’re thinking about our fans and what they want,” she said.
Lindo, who has written and co-written reggae and dancehall classics such as “Red Rose for Gregory,” “Champion Lover,” “Wanna Be Loved,” and “Telephone Love,” emphasized the importance of melody in any musical undertaking.
“Good melodies are very important,” he added. “That’s what catches the listener’s ear first and makes them want to sing along, and as one of my mentors and co-producer of this project the great Sly Dunbar would say, ‘the right groove in the production and final mix is extremely crucial for that hit factor’”
In The Mood is now available for streaming and download across all major digital platforms.
