WHEN harmony group, Voice of Harpers (VOH) decided to do a cover song for their EP The Beginning, they agreed the original should suit their doo-wop-inspired sound. The song they chose was Bob Andy’s Too Experienced, a classic from the rocksteady era of the late 1960s.

Their self-produced version is one of five songs on The Beginning, which was launched in May in Kingston. Group leader Marville Williams told the Jamaica Observer that VOH wanted to put their stamp on Too Experienced, making it different from the original and Barrington Levy’s 1988 version which is similar.

“What we did was reinterpret the song, strip the music a bit and put more harmony,” said Williams. “It shows where we are coming from musically.” VOH’s sound is steeped in gospel and jazz which is evident on The Beginning.

The quintet produced three of the EP’s songs, the others being Anything for You and Ellie my Love. Saxophonist Tony Greene guided them on Till I See You Again and This Feeling. VOH, which also includes Williams’ younger brother Mikhail, Benaudo Hall, Nickoy Shand and Donovan Leon Jnr, emerged from the Church of God and Saints of Christ in Kingston.

They started out as an acappella group in the mould of American acts Boyz II Men and Take 6, performing mainly at gospel events. In 2011, they entered the Digicel Rising Stars contest with the song Green Pastures. —Howard Campbell