Singer Teejax Malek I says he has never been one to rush things when it comes to recording; rather, getting his sound as innovative as possible has always been priority.

His latest album, Island Rock, was released in May by his Island Rock Music label out of Jacksonville, Florida, and the songs feature a new sound bearing that name.

“This sound I acquire is a mix of all genres. All I and I musical sounds basically follow the same path through the years,” he said. “A mix and touch of ska, rocksteady, rhythm and blues, gospel, country and western, poco[mania] weh dancehall beat really come from, and bring it all to a high climax as true Rasta vibration. It is so fitting now to be known as Island Rock Music,” he added.

So far, two songs have been released from Island Rock. The title song and Rebuild Again are both written and produced by the Manchester-born Teejax.

His third album, New World Disorder, was released in 2014. It was the first project recorded at his studio, which he opened in early 2012. Having his own recording facility, Teejax noted, has made a world of difference.

“Being a songwriter, arranger and producer, it can be extremely expensive and frustrating not getting what one desires from all them so call high-end studios I came across. No one knew the sound or could interpret what I hear,” he said.

Teejax Malek I was influenced by artistes who made the sounds of Island Rock famous — lovers’ rock exponents like Slim Smith and The Heptones, the pocomania/revival feel of Toots and The Maytals, the soul of Otis Redding, and down-home country of Jim Reeves.

He began recording in the mid-1980s. His first song was the self-produced Stepping Roots Vibration which he recently re-recorded for the current album.

“I like to consider myself an original. I’ve always been this way, though nothing is new under the sun. Most of our trailblazers from ska and rocksteady days would have a mix of songs or sounds,” he pointed out. “Music is a feel [so] I pride myself in bringing this feel and sound from the depth of I soul as I receive it from the universe.”

— Howard Campbell