WE often hear the chip doesn’t fly far from the block, and that’s the case with rising roots reggae singer Xana Romeo. Using her father Max Romeo’s musical style as inspiration, the singer is preparing to release her debut album entitled Wake Up on November 22.

“It is a roots-dub-reggae album and it will be for all audiences, especially those lovers of roots reggae music. The songs are beautiful and soulful, and I think most if not all of the tracks will resonate well with the listeners,” the 22-year-old told the Sunday Observer.

Wake Up is being produced by Jah Lanzel and Azizzi Romeo.

Other than the title track, the set comprises Rate Rasta, Righteous Path and Mercy Please.

She is particularly excited about the last.

“Mercy Please speaks about the decriminalisation of marijuana, which is now happening. Therefore, persons are really tuning in to the lyrics,” she said.

“The purpose of my music is the message. That is what I focus on, not my vocals, even though it plays an important role in how I deliver the message. I don’t want the public to get lost in the voice and forget about the message. When someone listens to Xana Romeo’s songs I want them to feel inspired and motivated to carry out any personal self-cleansing by the renewal of their minds,” she continued.

Xana Romeo said her music is heavily influenced by her father. Max Romeo has achieved chart success in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom. His catalogue includes over 25 studio albums including War Inna Babylon and Let the Power Fall.

“My dad is one of the few artistes who remains true to his roots musical style, and if one should listen to the album you will realise that the sounds and styles are similar. The single Rate Rasta is also inspired by one of my father’s hits, Tell Jah Say,” she said.

Xana Romeo hails from Greenwich Town in Kingston. Her family relocated in the early 2000s to Treadways, St Catherine. Growing up in a musical family she took up music as a career in 2012. Two years later she released her debut single No Love.

She is manager of her father’s business, Charmax Music enterprise. This includes the Red Ark recording studio, Charmax Music Label and Vinyl Company.