JAMAICAN singer Tessanne Chin is set to tackle the live rounds of the NBC talent competition, The Voice, tonight.

Having set the tone with selections: Pink’s Try for the blind auditions; Next To Me by Emeli Sandé for the battle rounds against her Adam Levine teammate Donna Allen, and Stronger by Kelly Clarkson for last Monday’s knockout round, what will Chin sing next?

For the first time, The Voice has released a list of songs which each contestant will choose.

Among the tracks on tonight’s playlist is Many Rivers to Cross by Jamaican reggae icon Jimmy Cliff.

She toured with Cliff for three years providing backing vocals.

Chin, who was once in local reggae rock band Mile High, has stressed that she hoped to broaden her reach and scope. Therefore, she may not opt to perform the Cliff track.

Clyde McKenzie, former judge on the local talent show Digicel Rising Stars, believes should Chin choose the Cliff classic, it would have a positive effect.

“A song like Many Rivers to Cross would highlight her Jamaican background, one she is not bashful about, as well as demonstrate her incredible vocal range. She has been giving us the fireworks with songs like Stronger, and this could continue that trend,” he noted.

“Tessanne could also turn it up in a real way and introduce a great Jamaican song to a whole new audiece,” McKenzie added.

He also believes Chin’s presence on The Voice and a great performance of Many Rivers to Cross could have what he calls, “a locomotive effect” and pull other Jamaican artistes along for the ride.

“Her sister Tami could get caught in this as well as an artiste like Shaggy, who encouraged her to enter The Voice, this could foster his re-emergence.”

McKenzie figures that if there is a downside to choosing Many Rivers, it is the fact that the song is still unfamiliar to many.

“We take it for granted that due to the international profile of a Jimmy Cliff everybody knows his music. She could choose this song and it is not familiar to this audience, which is never good in a competition like this,” said McKenzie.

Other tracks on tonight’s playlist include Nothin’ on You by B.O.B feartuing Bruno Mars; Secrets by One Republic; The Black Crowes’s She Talks to Angels; Still Into You by Paramore; Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You and Reba McEntire’s Fancy.

— Richard Johnson