AFTER a four-year break from the music business, producer Richard ‘Richie D’ Martin returns with the Famous rhythm which he co-produced with the KLE Group’s Gary Matalon.

The beat features songs by Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Fambo, Stacious, Richie Loop, Einstein and Voice Mail.

Speaking with Splash this week, Martin says he no longer feels pressure to produce hit songs.

“I really don’t put expectations on my productions. I do my best and let people make the decision on whether they like it or not.”

Now in his late 30s, Martin shot to prominence 12 years ago with a succession of well-received rhythms and songs. One of them, The Faith, established him as a producer and songwriter.

The Faith yielded Tony Curtis’ cover of George Michael’s Faith; Mr Vegas’s Hands Up (which Martin wrote) and Girls Everyday by the Scare Dem Crew (also written by Martin).

He also produced Delly Ranks’ What a Gal Can Wine which made VP Records’ Reggae Gold series in 2001 and I’ve Got Your Man by Lady Saw.

Martin reminisced on The Faith’s impact.

“I’ll never forget the first time I heard the songs I wrote being played and the crowd in Asylum (nightclub) singing it out loud, like Hands Up and Girls Everyday,” he said.

Another career highlight was being involved with Sean Paul’s Grammy-winning, multi-platinum album, Dutty Rock. Martin wrote the song Punkie which is also in the movie, After The Sunset.

He points to the global decline in record sales as the chief reason for his break from music production.

“Being based in Miami, coupled with certain changes in the industry which led to the decline in sales, it became difficult to deliver the high standard I would prefer to be associated with,” he said. “I decided to take on other entertainment projects until I felt that the time was right to rekindle the love I have for songwriting and production.”

Martin returned to his roots as a sound system selector during the break. He says he kept busy playing dates in Miami and on corporate events in Jamaica.