Mutabaruka

WHILE it has been confirmed that Mutabaruka has joined the roster of Heartbeat Records, speculation abounds that he has recently written an opera for a British theatre company.

The usually outspoken Rastafarian entertainer, uncharacteristically, declined to comment. This approach taken by the controversial poet, it is understood, is due to contractual arrangement which prohibits him from talking to the press.

Information is sketchy, but before you start thinking that the Rastafarian artiste famous for his stridency has gone Eurocentric, rumours have it that this project is a radical re-interpretation of The Last Supper. The opera, written from an Afrocentric perspective, will be mounted at Easter of next year, the Observer understands.

Meanwhile, Mutabaruka's latest CD, Life Squared, due to be released in another couple of weeks, will be distributed worldwide by Heartbeat Records.

In Muta's typical penetrating style, the set is loaded with thought- provoking material inclusive of the title track of Stephanie Black's documentary Life and Debt and the Monkey Speaks His Mind.

"We signed Muta's new record, which will be coming out in June, and we're very excited about it," enthused head of Heartbeat, Chris Wilson.

"We have always liked Muta; he was with another label for many years... but we are very glad now to be working with him," Wilson added.

Currently, Mutabaruka's latest single, Dem Lie, is enjoying strong rotation on local radio, not only on IRIE FM where he hosts his weekly talk show, The Cutting Edge on Wednesday nights, but right across the musical landscape.

Dem Lie is a damning commentary on our political leaders, urging the public in this election year to be wary of the customary empty promises which have long been a feature of election campaigns in Jamaica.

The single, released just over a month ago, is a sequel of sorts to Mutabaruka's People's Court (on the rhythm of Prince Buster's 1960s number Judge Dread) which was a hit in the last elections.

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