Although the release of Capleton’s newest album, ‘Heights of Fire’, cannot be called a watershed moment in his remarkable career spanning 30-plus years, it is one worthy for the books.
The 16-track project ended a 16-year run of no new albums, despite him having released numerous singles throughout the decade and a half. Released on June 26, through Evidence Music, Heights of Fire was presented to local media and music industry professionals at a well-attended listening party at Janga’s Soundbar and Grill in St Andrew. The Fireman, who was presented in a corporate setting, seated on a massive chair on stage, not moving, just listening and simmering with subdued fire energy, told his audience that “everything happens in its own time and in its own space”.
“People ask why the long hiatus, but this album tek a whole lot of dedication … some of the songs were voiced over a decade ago. I’m not one of them artiste who going to drop album behind each other and then yuh nuh get what you’re supposed to get out of the album,” Capleton explained.
He outlined the journey he envisions for Heights of Fire.
“We want this album to be a timeless album and also a global anthem. We want whenever time we drop an album it’s appealing right across the globe. Remember, a we know the value of the music. A we go through the struggle. We a come from sound box days when yuh lift up sound box and travel inna di truckback guh country and all over just fi get an opportunity fi display we talent. So, for we it’s not about the money or the hype, it’s not the popularity or the fame, it’s not about clout or validation, it’s about love, authentic love,“ the fast-talking Capleton said, his words working the crowd into a frenzy.
He told THE STAR that while a Grammy nomination, and perhaps even the Grammy itself for Best Reggae Album, are somewhere on the list of things that he would like the album to achieve, this accolade is “not a priority”.
“We always seh that we don’t work for awards, and that will always be true. Remember a we seh music is a mission not a competition,” Capleton said.
“But it is a good feeling to know that your work mek an impact across the globe. When yuh songs climb the charts and yuh see dem on various playlists, yuh have million and billions of streams, that is confirmation that the message of truth and rights and upliftment is crossing borders and inspiring the people who need to hear it.”
Twenty-three years ago Capleton received a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album for Still Blazin. He also contributed to Damian Marley’s Half-Way Tree, which won the Grammy Award in the category in 2002. On its opening weekend, Heights of Fire amassed nearly 20 million Spotify streams and entered reggae charts in France, Switzerland, Germany, Kenya and Italy, Capleton’s team said. Among the standout tracks are Red Again, Behave Yourself, Deh Pon Mi Mind, featuring a young Rastafarian named Eesah and Babylon So Evil, a massive collaboration with Stephen and Damian Marley, which also uses a sample of Dennis Brown voice from his anthem Love and Hate.
This project is unique in that in addition to being available for downloads on all streaming platforms, there will be physical copies in the form of CDs, vinyls and cassettes.
Among those who spoke glowingly of Capleton were his manager, Cabel Stephenson, engineer and producer Michael ‘Mixing Finga’ Stewart, and Clyde McKenzie who highlighted the entertainer’s courage, strength of conviction, and durability, which he said are all anchored in his ability to set trends.
“When you set your own trends you do not go out of style,” McKenzie said, adding that “Capleton is is one of the most powerful voices we have had in the history of this music.”
