Blue Mountain Acoustic, the fifth album from singer-producer Sadiki, is scheduled to be released on June 1. And, as the title suggests, it is an unplugged set.

It follows the direction of previous Sadiki productions such as his cover of Mac Davis/Boris Gardiner’s I Wanna Wake Up With You and Iyahcoustic, the 2016 album by Ronnie Davis.

“Acoustic brings a certain sonic clarity to the whole production. I did 90 per cent of the mixing and mastering on the album and there was no need to create ‘a sound’ after recording it. I left most of the instruments flat,” Sadiki explained during an interview with the Jamaica Observer. “Secondly, it’s generally a much more simplistic sound, and as a listener you’re focused on three or four instruments and vocals, but that focus allows you to pick apart the song and really ‘ears’ it.”

Another cover on Blue Mountain Acoustic is Pick Myself Up, originally done by Peter Tosh for his 1978 album Bush Doctor. Sadiki is accompanied by veteran musician Mikey Fletcher on this version.

Pick Myself Up has always been one of his favourite Tosh songs, and he decided to cut it considering the current global turmoil.

“The message of the Tosh song is important for the world. We all face challenges on a daily basis, but perseverance beats resistance. Tosh’s original is definitely a classic in my eyes,” said Sadiki, who produced 12 of the set’s 13 songs.

Guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin, who played on Iyahcoustic; guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith and Kenyan singer Fyah Mummah Jahmy also worked on Blue Moutain Acoustic, which will be released two years after Sadiki’s previous album, Covered In Love.

The latter was also produced by his Skinny Bwoy Records, and it contained covers of hit pop and reggae songs like Ed Sheeran’s Photograph and The Heptones’ version of Book of Rules.

Sadiki (given name Henry Buckley Jr) believes listeners will hear a distinct difference on Blue Mountain Acousticto his previous work.

“I think I’ve grown spiritually. Enough to understand that life’s journey takes us to where we should be at that certain point in time. I’m just looking forward to the journey and trodding on with a positive outlook. Mek di critics debate the growth aspect,” he said.