The unfamiliar feelings of Bran-Nu Ruth

BY BASIL WALTERS Observer staff reporter

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

ALTHOUGH her only experience in music has been singing in a church choir, hers is not an unfamiliar story. That has been the experience of countless entertainers, both locally and internationally. What is interesting about Ruth is that even though she was brought up in a strict Seventh-Day Adventist household, she has an intense passion for reggae music.

It is small wonder therefore, what shaping up to be her signature tune, is her newest recording, Unfamiliar Feelings. This female vocalist who is signed to the independent label, Bran-Nu Entertainment, seems destined to be a heavy contender on the music scene.

In addition to the Ric Zheron Bromfield-produced Unfamiliar Feelings, Ruth's compelling voice can also be heard on other songs like Chillin With My Baby, Here Come The Critics and her ode to her native land, I Love You Jamdown.

With these works and As It Is (her first single), obviously there is much more to come, such as those from her soon-to-be-released debut album. Ruth has been doing justice to her main musical influences which include Sade, Sinead O' Connor, Tanya Stephens, Sizzla Kalonji and the Marley clan.

She has so far shared stage with Freddie McGregor, Beres Hammond, Ky-Mani Marley and I-Wayne. One only has to check out the video of Unfamiliar Feelings to be convinced that before long reggae/dancehall will have a Bran-Nu sensation.