IN 50 years as a musician, Bongo Herman has played on numerous songs, covering the rocksteady, roots-reggae and dancehall genres.

For his latest project, the veteran percussionist ventured into uncharted territory — the blues.

Herman, 71, is among a cast of Jamaican musicians who played on Lightning Bolt, an album by Texan blues guitarist Burt Herrin.

Though he is not familiar with blues music, the jocular Herman says he has been around long enough to adapt.

“Mi play pon calypso an’ steelpan album. Mi play any music, the important thing is the feel yuh bring to the table,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Saxophonist Dean Fraser, bass players Aston ‘Famiy Man’ Barrett and Donald Dennis also played on the set which was released in July. Herrin will have a local launch in November.

Bongo Herman (Herman Davis) started his career with producers such as Clancy Eccles. He has played on countless hit songs including John Holt’s Strange Things, Richie Spice’s Earth a Run Red and Serious Times by Gyptian.

When he came into the business, there were several percussionists including his mentors Larry McDonald and Denzil Laing.

That is not the case today but Herman says reggae needs the percussionist.

“Is the seasoning…without percussion is like the music nuh have nuh feeling.”

— Howard Campbell