FOR his latest project, the Caramel Ice Cream rhythm, veteran producer Tony Kelly hand-picked an array of artistes for a special flavour.

Romain Virgo and American singer ADN, are two of the acts featured on the beat. Virgo contributes Plans, while ADN does Risk It All.

“I always wanted to write a song on this topic because in the past I used to find myself in similar situations like what the song is talking about. The Caramel Ice Cream rhythm had the right mood and it was perfect for bringing across the right emotions that I wanted to get out,” Virgo explained.

Virgo said initially he and Kelly were working on a collaboration with Agent Sasco, but then Kelly played him the rhythm and there was a change in direction. Within days, Plans was recorded.

“Tony Kelly is a perfectionist, it’s not hard to tell that he loves his craft. He’s a man with very good ears for music,” said Virgo.

For California-based Adien Lewis aka ADN, he got involved with the project through Kelly and Artiste and Repertoire executive Rodney Hill.

“They reached out to my constant collaborator Curtis Richardson for us to compose and for me to sing on the project. I wrote Risk It All with Curtis. It’s a song about giving your all to someone you care for. It’s a romantic record like the songs of yesteryear. We wanted a retro but progressive vibe, so the melodies were laid back with a hint of slow wine vibes,” said ADN, a Filipino-American whose music covers Rhythm and Blues, hip hop and electronica.

It is his first time working with a Jamaican producer.

“The project was very exciting because this type of music is like a journey into uncharted territory for me,” he said.

The Caramel Ice Cream also features songs from Shaggy, D Major, Khalia and Busy Signal, Wayne Wonder, Atiba and GC.

— KJ