Warrior King gently dabs some sweat from his mother's brow as he serenades her at the launch of his debut album, Virtuous Woman. The event was held at the Livity Restaurant in St Andrew. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

HIGHLY-thought of roots singer, Warrior King, on Tuesday launched his debut album, Virtuous Woman, to the local market at the Livity Restaurant in St Andrew.

The set, released in October, 2002 by VP Records, got high praise from veteran tour manager Copeland Forbes and Dr Carolyn Cooper, head of the Reggae Studies Unit at the University of the West Indies (Mona campus).

Forbes said that Warrior King -- who was on last year's One Love Tour which Forbes managed -- proved himself equal to the task of managing a rigorous tour schedule and impressed audiences with his talent.

He gave the singer high marks for work ethic and humility, saying "He is truly a fresh breath in our music." Forbes also announced that he will be taking Warrior King on tour to the United Kingdom at the end of this month.

Forbes, who has long campaigned for recognition of Jamaican music and its economic potential, also used the occasion to again press his case. He recalled the lack of assistance or even endorsement given to his 2002 One Love Tour, by government agencies such as the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

"I went to tourist board, I went to JAMPRO, I went to so many people and everybody just give me some little cock-and-bull story," said Forbes. "I got a four-line letter from the tourist board, 'sorry, we can't help you but next time'. But you know something, [with] the cooperation of the artistes involved and the American companies and entities that gave us breaks, we were able to accomplish the tour and we played in major venues."

Cooper said that she was taken with the 23 year-old artiste's dynamism and in a mini-deconstruction of Warrior King's music, she also lauded the "richness in his poetry" and the range of themes that he covers, the most dominant of which, she said is "the celebration of woman power". These themes can be heard on the title track as well as Empress So Divine and Oh Mama, which he does with poet DYCR. Other positives themes include, the concept of love expressed in practical terms and the value of education.

The encomiums actually began with the evening's emcee, attorney-at-law Sandra Allison, who, as a poet performs under the name Sajoya. She too praised the artiste for the positive messages in his music, and urged other male artistes to emulate him.

Virtuous Woman is a combination of previously-released tracks, such as the title song, Never Go Where Pagans Go, Breath of Fresh Air and Jah Is Always There, and newer material.

Most of the tracks are produced by Sheldon "Calibud" Stewart, with others done for Richard "Shams" Browne, Chad "Goofy" Simpson and Michael Johnson. Along with DYCR, singer Jahmali also makes a guest appearance.

The evening ended with a lively performance by Warrior King, who "bigged up" all who contributed to the event and to his career. A touching moment came when he invited his mother, whom he affectionately calls, "Mama Doreen" on stage; he serenaded her and expressed his appreciation for her nurturing efforts.

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