SINGER Noddy Virtue is preparing to drop his second album this month. Addiction is the title of the 21-track cover set.

Virtue plans to perform songs from the album on Saturday at ‘A Valentine’s Love Affair’, which takes place at La Roof Sports Bar and Grill in Montego Bay.

He is headliner for the event with singer Jodian Pantry. Both came to prominence through the Digicel Rising Stars talent contest.

Addiction will initially be released digitally. It contains renditions of

the Jimmy Cliff-penned Trapped, Marley’s Concrete Jungle, Peter Tosh’s Glass House, two versions of Bon Jovi’s Bed of Roses and Just as I Am, originally done by Air Supply.

“What wi really do is bring Noddy to the songs, so wi don’t do a Concrete Jungle the way Bob do it. Wi put a R&B flavour to it,” Virtue told the Jamaica Observer.

Addiction is the St Elizabeth-born Virtue’s second album. Like his debut Just Believe, it is produced by Gladstone Wright for Moses Productions.

Virtue finished runner-up to singer Christopher Martin in the inaugural Rising Stars contest in 2004.

His take on the Cliff ballad Rebel in Me and Bed of Roses became radio hits. He is not concerned about criticism of him recording covers, or not making it big as other Rising Stars alumni such as Martin and Romain Virgo.

“Me’s one artiste who don’t run down fame or the paper. Everybody know sey Noddy jus’ love music,” he said.

A Valentine’s Love Affair is scheduled to start at 7:00 pm.

— Howard Campbell