IT’S been 10 years since American singers BeBe and CeCe Winans turned the heat up with their song, Close to You. Jamaican artistes Joanna Marie and Peter G recently put their spin on the sultry single, released in April by JTMC Muzik.

 Joanna Marie, who is based in South Florida, said she identifies with the song which made it easier to record.

 “This is a perfect song. It works because it’s a true love story,” she said.

 Peter G (given name Peter Gayle) is a veteran singer who has worked with Sly and Robbie and Mikey Bennett. He was brought in to play the romantic male role which Joanna Marie said went according to plan.

 Though she has been recording for over 30 years, Close to You is Joanna Marie’s first time sharing a song. Having grown up listening to duets by a number of Jamaican artistes including Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths, she believes reggae needs more duets.

 “We are missing duets and ballads in reggae because it’s romantic and we as Caribbean people are romantic and sensual,” she said.

 Joanna Marie (real name Joanna Marie Chin-Loy) began recording professionally in the mid-1980s. Her songs include Single Girl, I Need You, Silhouettes and Hush Darling.

 Silhouettes and Hush Darling, made popular in Jamaica by Dennis Brown and Gregory Isaacs, were also produced by JTMC Muzik.

 Peter G recently wrapped a tour of the United States with Sly and Robbie and British singer Bitty McLean.

Howard Campbell