IT’S been a while since singer Al Campbell graced the Jamaican stage, but he is very much active on the music circuit internationally. Japan, Italy, France, USA, Germany are among some of the countries where he has been plying his trade.

The last time Campbell performed in Jamaica was at Damali Beach at a show Jack Ruby staged before he died.

“He came to me and said, ‘Al, you know you’re a good artiste. You need a good manager. Why you don’t let me manage you’. I told him I would think about it (but) the man end up dead before I could even think,” reminisced Campbell in response to an email from the Sunday Observer.

Like most good singers, Campbell began his career in church, where his father was a preacher, and Al would sing to raise funds.

Campbell, who attended school with Lloyd James, aka Prince Jammy, ended up forming a vocal group with his friends called The Thrillers, which recorded in the late 1960s for Studio One.

After briefly joining up with Freddie McGregor and Ernest Wilson, he went on to work with Prince Lincoln Thompson’s Royal Rasses, and the Mighty Cloud band.

Campbell then embarked on a solo career and was a popular ‘roots reggae’ singer during the 1970s, recording for producers such as Phil Pratt, Bunny Lee and Joe Gibbs.

His Gee Baby was a big hit in 1975 in both Jamaica and the United Kingdom. He followed up with songs such as Late Night Blues, Wicked A Go Feel It, Free Up Rasta, Turn Me Loose, Talk About Love, No Children Don’t Cry, Dancehall Style, Late Night Blues and Soldiers In Jah Army, among many others.

The ‘foundation’ singer has just finished working on an album with Chris Peckings entitled Al Campbell: Man From Studio One, which, he says, will be ready for release in the summer.

In talking about the album he says: “When making an album I try to put a variety of songs on it,” adding that the album will have roots, lovers rock and some ‘reality’.

“It will be a good mixture so that it’s worth the money that it’s sold for. Something that fans can enjoy,” he shared.

“After all, without the people you’re nothing; if they don’t buy your records, or support your shows, you can’t earn,” Campbell quipped.

Among the tracks that will be on Al Campbell: Man From Studio One are Ebony Eyes, True to the One You Love, Universal Love, See a Better Day, I’ve Got to Find Her and Why You Killing The Heroes.

The veteran singer says as much as he is enjoying dancehall as a genre, he would “make the rhythm tracks more firm. More instrument, more melody, add more flavour to the music, more harmonies, and make sure the singers have proper lyrics,” he pointed out.

He also stressed that songs should have a story and artistes should ensure they stay on key singing the tune.”

Campbell also questioned the term ‘dancehall’, pointing out, “There is no term where our music is classed as dancehall. It’s one and the same reggae music. Dancehall is when they’re talking about where the dances keep.”

Campbell’s advice to fellow entertainers is simple: “Be positive, be strong, always read your contracts, especially the fine print. If you don’t understand, get a good lawyer. Be careful who you mix with and always remember you’re a public figure.”