ROOTS-reggae singer Hal Anthony is looking forward to the release of his recently completed album entitled The One I Love.

Recorded on the Miami-based Most Wanted imprint, the set is to be released in the first quarter of next year.

The feel-good, lovers rock effort contains 10 tracks.

They include Sealed With A Kiss, Leave A Little Room, The One I Love and a remake of an original he did with The Beltones in 1968 entitled No More Heartache.

“The album also has a gospel track on it which I know many will enjoy,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Anthony, who resides in Florida, is currently in the island and is working on another album with Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee Snr and his son, Lee Jr.

“I am now in the process of laying tracks and that should be completed in the next five weeks,” he said.

For Anthony, on completing of the studio work, he will be trying to tie up some performance dates.

Anthony, who works with his Mellennium Band, said the music is not what it used to be. But he, along with his band, will be playing their roles to “bring it back.

“I know there is a place for my music out there,” he said.

Born in Clarendon, Hal Anthony (whose given name is Hal Anthony Lewinson) said he developed his passion for singing by just hanging out with other foundation singers in that parish.

It was this passion that saw him joining the vocal group The Beltones in the early 60s and earning hit song No More Heartaches. The group later changed its name to The Fantells and scored another hit with Hooligan.

Anthony later left the group to perform with the Fab Five band for 17 years.

“It was during this stint that they helped to mould and shape my career,” he said.

For him, he got the chance to grow as a musician as well as an artiste. He migrated to the United States in 1989 and embarked on a solo career.

Anthony is from a musical family. His uncle is Norris Weir, leader of the 60s group The Jamaicans and his cousin Jimmy Cliff.

His other singles include I Can’t Hide and Reggae Man A Come.

— Cecelia Campbell-Livingston