Roots artiste Samory I is calling for unity in Jamaica following his tour of Europe last month.

The singer and his four-member Black Heart Band spent three weeks in Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, and Switzerland. He said he realised the importance of unity by simply observing his bandmates.

“It was my first time touring in Europe with my band, and it was such a family experience. I learnt more about them by sitting and observing, and there is so much love and unity in the group. It made me see that we are all here to achieve one goal: that is to spread love and unity,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

The Black Heart Band comprises Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul (keyboard), Leon Campbell (drummer), Ruel Ashbourne (bass), and Richard Nelson (guitar).

Samory I said Jamaicans should concentrate on doing the right thing if they want to see a better nation.

“We can all see that the country is being sold out, so we have to fight for Jamaica. One day you will look around and another set of people will be calling themselves Jamaicans. Do you want to be an alien in your own country? Righteousness is not being pushed to the forefront; that’s why we are here to spread the message,” he said.

Samory I (given name Samory-Tour Fraser), promoted his 2017 debut album, Black Gold, on the three-week tour. He is pleased with the reception thus far to the set, which is produced by Rory “Stone Love” Gilligan.

“We sold vinyl out within the week of its release. All that I expected with Black Gold, I got. The response on social media — Spotify, YouTube and iTunes were good and I feel pleased with it,” he said.

Samory I is expected to return to Europe in August for the summer reggae circuit. He is currently working on a new song, Feeling, also produced by Gilligan.

— Sade Gardner