LIVE music with a difference was the order of the night on March 14 at Redbones Blues Café, where the third Soul Session took place.

In the spotlight were singers Nickeishia Barnes and Mackeehan, but producer/engineer Orville ‘Rorey’ Baker, also stood out when discussing the ‘Hearts of Arts’.

Hostess Stephaine (Wallace-Maxwell) got the show going, singing Rather Be and Fire Boom, before inviting Baker to open the roundtable discussion.

“One Pop [studio] started in mi bedroom with just an idea to do something fresh. Started with a computer and it just move from one stage to the other,” Barker told the audience.

Baker operates One Pop in Kingston with famed rhythm musicians Sly and Robbie. Cherine Anderson and The No-Maddz are some of the acts who have recorded there.

After entertaining renditions of A Place in Your Heart, I Cry and My Sweet Baby, Barnes spoke about her musical influences.

“I listen to music with a lot of rap and rock edge. As a singer you grow — I used to enter talent contest shows from I was about 13, like Tastee — so for me local talent competitions are a wonderful booster,” said the former Digcel Rising Star contestant.

Baker concurred, saying: “It’s a very good thing and it’s growing. It exposes new talent.”

“I am not a talker, so the conversation is going to be real short,” said a candid Mackeehan.

However, after performing Miss You Bad and One More Touch, he added: “Mackeehan is a person who get up every day an’ try to find ways to inspire people.”

Each guest responded to the question of the night, which was, ‘What makes reggae music so special?’

“A di soul. When I write a song it come from a place where only the Almighty can explain,” Mackeehan said.

“It is the soul of the people. It speaks so much of who we are, the hearts of arts,” Barnes responded.

“It’s the movement of the people, the heart of the nation. It (reggae) connects people. Anything yuh waan sey, yuh can say it inna reggae,” said Baker.

Duane Stephenson made a impromptu appearance prior to the final segment.

— Basil Walters