After working as a manager with several artistes, Leighton Thomas decided it was a time for a change of pace and went into music production two years ago.

His biggest project to date, the St Ann rhythm, is scheduled for release this month on his Unity Yawd Family label. The punchy beat is mainly live and named after Thomas’s home parish. It features songs by Zamunda and Xclusive, who are also St Ann natives.

Zamunda’s song is Better Place, while Xclusive contributes Holding Pressure.

Other acts on the beat are Singing Melody ( No Love), Turbulence ( Almost Time) and Sycure (Y our Love).

Thomas, who is 33 years old, hails from the district of Prickly Pole. He started in the music business “helping out” artistes such as Zamunda, Dadda and Keke I, but always flirted with expanding his role.

He said the time had to be right for a move into production. St Ann rhythm was recorded over one year ago, but on advice from Zamunda, he added a live feel.

“I understand the business to a level now, so we mixed them over an’ we are preparing to get the songs out,” he said.

“One of the priorities for Unity Yawd Family,” he stressed, “is to expose acts from St Ann.”

“That’s my aim: to voice as much St Ann artistes as possible, because over the years they don’t really get that much justice.”

— KJ