MONTEGO BAY, St James – Veteran US-based, St James- born reggae performer Prince Mantee has returned from a six year hiatus from music to record a new album, entitled, Country Wisdom.

“I have been away from the music for six long years but the music has called me back,” the experienced musician said.

“I hope this album will take off in Jamaica and around the world.”

Prince Mantee, whose given name is Ralston Henry, recorded the 10-track album at the studios of the Montego Bay- based recording artiste and producer, Mackie Conscious.

Born in Hopeton, St James, Prince Mantee revealed that it has always been his dream to record a reggae album with the use of live instruments.

“This is a dream come true to be recording a reggae album with live instruments in my native land, Jamaica. This is something I never did, and wanted to do all my life,” the seasoned performer told the Jamaica Observer West.

He developed an interest in music from an early age when he and his eight siblings watched family members rehearse in a calypso band which performed on the north coast hotel circuit.

Prince Mantee got a break in the music industry after migrating to the United States in the early 1960’s where he was employed at nightclub as a gateman. It was while on the job that he was inspired to be an entertainer and registered at a music school, after buying himself a guitar and an amplifier.

He eventually formed a reggae band called the Black Reggae Band, for which he was the lead singer and guitar player.

The Black Reggae Band which consisted of five members and which subsequently became popular in Madison, Wisconsin and other venues across the USA where they did gigs in many clubs and other functions. At one stage they won a Wisconsin music award.

Prince Mantee, who wrote over 200 songs and recorded six albums, including, Land Between The World, performed with his band on the same stage with reggae music icons such as Toots and the Maytals, Inner Circle, Burning Spear, Sugar Minnott, Steel Pulse and Eka Mouse.