Roots singer Jesse Royal is featured on the compilation album Heart of Jamaica, which is produced by Mikey Bennett for Appleton Jamaica Rum.

He contributes the track We Matter.

“Mikey Bennett reached out to me and said they wanted to give people a taste of the many flavours of Jamaica and the many interpretations of music. So we decided to knock out an energy that resonate with the people,” said Royal.

Last year he topped the Billboard Reggae Album Chart with Lily of Da Valley, distributed by Easy Star Records).

He spoke about other current projects.

“I have a couple of new singles out. Pillow was produced by Kumar, formerly of Raging Fyah; there’s also Herbalist Party featuring Charly Black; and My Time to Shine which was produced by DJ Frass. Wi jus’ a gwaan soak in an’ prepare for the next album,” he said.

Other artistes on Heart of Jamaica are: Wayne Marshall, Christopher Martin, Sevana, Natel, Duane Stephenson, Jodian Pantry, Bugle, Freddie McGregor, Pluto Shervington, Ding Dong, Tamo J, Dean Fraser, and Chevaughn.

­— Kevin Jackson