Early this year, singer Rachaad was grooving to Nutin Na Gwan, the classic, underground album by Sylford Walker. He loved the entire set but one song caused him to perk up, the track Jah Golden Pen, recorded by Walker for producer Joe Gibbs in 1975. It had an instant impact on the 27-year-old artiste who decided to cover it.

“Wi used to live in di same area (Red Hills, St Thomas) but I never know much about his (Walker) songs. I got di album from his brother an’ notice di last song was Jah Golden Pen, di hit song,” said Rachaad.

He decided to update the song with a different arrangement. He also approached the 60-year-old Walker to sing on the project.

“Di whole energy channelled me to do di song with him, but a little different. His version has a bridge an’ a chorus; I put my verse in the version part of the rhythm,” he said.

Rachaad co-produced his take on Jah Golden Pen for his Natural Heights Productions and Walker’s Walk Yah Walk Records.

It was released in October.

Born Rachaad Amarjia Green, he began recording in 2006, shortly after graduating from Kingston College. Most of his songs like Buss Shot and Reggae Music, have been done for independent European companies.

Other songs, like Daddy, were done for Sheldon “Calibud” Stewart.Daddy and Jah Golden Pen are part of Rachaad’s first EP, scheduled for release in early 2017.