LINDO... has a signature style of whistling on his tracks

Based on his recordings and overall contribution to music, Hopeton Lindo deserves to be better known. But being kept busy behind the scenes, because of his multi-faceted abilities, explains the paradox in his musical career.

One of the smoothest lovers rock crooners around, Lindo is involved in the creation of some of reggae's most enduring recordings as a songwriter. However, he also enjoyed his fair share of successes over the years as a vocalist, recording hit songs Territory, Silent Consent, Gun Ting, Stand Up For Love, and Lonely Night - just a few that come readily to mind.

Not many people would know that because of the lyrical prowess of this same Hopeton Lindo, he was nicknamed 'The Pen', and has been credited as writer/co-writer of songs like JC Lodge's Telephone Love, Shabba Ranks' Mr Loverman, Gregory Isaacs' Red Roses, Confidential for the British-based group Aswad, First Impression for Dennis Brown and Can You for Brian and Tony Gold.

Now, this overlooked performer comes with Turf, his latest album, in an effort to renew his vocal hit-making trend. "The focus right now is doing a lot of recordings and putting out a lot of songs, and becoming current again with the now generation," Lindo told Splash.

Known for his trademark whistling on his debut 1987 set, Territory, which is widely rated a genuine classic that continues to be a vital weapon in any dance clash, Lindo expounded further on his second coming.

"I'm trying to relate to the time," he explained. "And this album is a mixture of different songs. It has lovers' rock, cultural songs; it has songs that celebrate women, like hard-working women, domestic violence issues, it has humanitarian songs to deal with peace. But why we chose Turf as the title track is because of what we see happening now, and what we see happening is a lot of turf wars going on.

"We are not comfortable with the situation, and this is our way of making a positive contribution through the music. And then again, Hopeton Lindo is noted for Territory, so this is a kind of follow-up. It's making a statement. And both of them are similar in the sense of the whistling and all of that. The whistling is a part of me. I don't do it on every song, only certain songs when I feel a need for a western kind of vibes."

On the 19-track Turf, Lindo has five collaborations - Killing Field with Anthony B, which he said is very relevant to what is going on now; Mr Politician featuring Lady Saw, whom he referred to as one of his favourite deejays; Stand Up For Love, which is like an anthem for peace with Peter Gayle up front on vocals; Any Pain with Annette Brissett, a gifted singer/songwriter from out of South Florida where he is based these days; and Cease Fire, with the 'Cool Ruler' Gregory Issacs, of whom Lindo spoke glowingly.

"He is my favourite singer from a long time. He's a man who I've written a lot of songs for," said Lindo.

The album, distributed by VP Records, All Access, on his own Irie Pen label, makes for good listening and dancing, especially the title track, which features Lindo's signature style of whistling.

Overall, Turf is a good musical package that should give Lindo the renewal he so richly deserves.

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