This is the third in a 10-part series looking at Jamaicans excelling on the South Florida entertainment/lifestyle scene.

WHEN musician I-One released his debut album Rise Up last year, it marked another phase in a career that started over 25 years ago.

The self-produced set was recorded at his I-Tek Recording Studio in Hollywood, South Florida where I-One (real name Paul Gauntlett) also calls the shots as chief producer and engineer.

Rise Up was largely recorded at I-Tek with the backing of key musicians such as keyboardist Mallory Williams, trumpeter Chico Chin and Soul Syndicate guitarist Tony Chin.

I-One also played on the album, which came after years of working as a musician/back-up singer on productions by artistes including Mikey Spice, Freddie McGregor, Screwdriver, Tarrus Riley and Sugar Minott.

He was urged to step out front by Williams, who played in bands and worked as a session musician before hitting Jamaican charts as a singer with the songs Irie Daughter and Boom She Boom.

“He encouraged I to sing a song and he remarked that I was a good musician and songwriter who always had something positive to say. Then one song led to another and another,” I-One, who is in his 40s, said.

Most of those songs including Imagine This World, I And I Feel It and Jah is My Hero are on Rise Up which was released digitally and on compact disc.

A cousin of singers Jacob Miller, Fred Locks and Maxi Priest, I-One grew up in Harbour View, St Andrew during the 1970s, a time when roots-reggae was the rage. Harbour View and the nearby seaside community of Bull Bay had a vibrant roots scene which made a lasting impression on young Paul Gauntlett.

“I’m glad that I was exposed to the original roots music sounds. My aim is to push the original reggae music and serve the purpose it was created for — give thanks and praises to Jah, love your brothers and sisters and defend truths and rights,” he told Splash.

I-One has lived in the United States for over 30 years, most of them in South Florida. Though several leading roots-reggae artistes live in the region, he says the sound does not get the respect it deserves.

“The advantage of living in South Florida is that it’s close to Jamaica. The disadvantage, Florida is not grounded in roots and culture music.”

That lack of support has not discouraged I-One from staying the roots course. It is the theme of his follow-up album which he expects to release in early 2015.