KINGSTON, Jamaica – With his fourth album scheduled to be released in a matter of days, singer Courtney John is hoping a North American media blitz will help get North American listeners interested.

Future, a 10-song piece, debuts the Rootstronic, an electro sound John conceived with producer/musicians Nastasia ‘The Wizard’ Hammond and Steven ‘Lenky’ Marsden.

The album, which will be released April 30, is the subject of a feature article in Billboard magazine by Patricia Meschino, a veteran American journalist who covers the reggae beat for that trade publication.

The hip Vibe magazine is also down to cover Future which has already yielded its first single, a cover of singer Errol Dunkley’s 1972 hit, Black Cinderella.

“I think they’re interested in hearing something different from Jamaica. The people who are interested in the Rootstronic are people with a passion for music,” John said.

Initially, Future will be released digitally but John and his management plan to make it available later on compact disc and vinyl. The vinyl edition may be distributed in Europe where there is still a strong demand for that format.

John spent much of last year fine-tuning the songs for Future. He believes the finished product has what it takes to do well.

“It’s a good project…All we need now is to get the word out,” he said.

John kick-started his career in the late 1990s as Yogie. During that period, he got the breakthrough with radio-friendly songs like That Was Then and I Go Crazy.

His hit run continued following his transformation to Courtney John with the well-received song, Lucky Man.

Hammond, daughter of lover’s rock great Beres Hammond, produced all of the tracks on Future, which also includes the songs Soul of a Man and Very Special.

Courtney John is planning a European summer tour to promote the album.

– Howard Campbell