During its industrial prime, Pitts burgh, Pennsylvania was the mecca of American industry. Bob Marley played his last concert there, while Errol Wizdom helps keep the city’s reggae beat alive as singer of the Wizdom World Beat Reggae Band.

Wizdom, who is from Kingston, co-founded the band in 1992 with American Greg Hampton. They are well known in Pittsburgh where they have opened shows for popular acts like The Wailers, Yellowman, Freddie McGregor, and musician/businessman Jimmy Buffett.

They are currently recording songs for their fourth album, April, scheduled for release soon. According to Wizdom, it is their most commercial effort to date.

“It’s mainly roots-reggae but wi going to have a couple dancehall tracks ’cause wi want to reach a younger generation. When I was growing up I used to love di elders like Delroy (Wilson), Peter Tosh and U Roy, so reaching out is very important to me,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Who’s Gonna Pay For That, a song written by Hampton, is projected to be April’s lead single. Cherry On The Vine, the band’s previous album, was released last year.

Hampton is primary lead vocalist for the Wizdom World Beat Reggae Band, as well as playing rhythm guitar. Hampton plays bass and also sings, while guitarist Anthony Codner and percussionist Asher Green, both Jamaicans, are other core members.

Most of the band’s exposure comes from touring the United States east coast, playing clubs and state fairs. Their set comprises originals with a sprinkling of reggae-rised covers, from Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On to The Eagles’ Hotel California and Lynyrd Skynrd’s Sweet Home Alabama.

The 58-year-old Wizdom says keeping busy on the road is critical to the band, as mainstream radio in Pittsburgh is not as receptive to reggae like 1992 when he moved there from Jamaica.

“The reggae scene was hot because yuh had two radio stations (88.3 FM and WYEP) that played reggae. As it stands now, things could be better,” he said.

Wizdom (real name Errol Williams) started his career as a 15-year-old, recording songs for producer Prince Tony. He remembers his first released song (done with Levi Palmer) being If You Should Leave Me, released in 1976.

Later that decade, as a member of harmony trio The Potentials, he cut two songs for singer/producer Junior Murvin — When I Come Home and Diamond Queen.

Moving to Pittsburgh in 1991, it took Wizdom a matter of months to get in the groove and form a band, that is still active. They are banking on April to give them a hot summer by producing a hit song.

“Di sessions going great an’ wi feel dat energy, yuh nuh. Wi expect great things,” said Wizdom.