It was once the norm to hear ballads on Jamaican radio — whether by domestic acts or ‘foreign’ artistes. Songs with romantic melodies are no longer dominant but singers like Mary Isaacs keeps the flag flying.

I’m Happy, her latest song, was released in May by Issachar Muzik out of Los Angeles. It is written by Isaacs and produced by Sangie Davis.

She told the Jamaica Observer that feel-good songs are her preference.

“I do love ballads in all styles of music whether it be mento, ska, reggae, dancehall, soca, gospel, jazz — especially those with positive, inspiring, funny, romantic and feel-good messages. It’s not lacking in Jamaica but what we need is more exposure of the wide range of music that is being produced,” said Isaacs.

She first met Davis at an event at Twelve Tribes of Israel headquarters in Kingston seven years ago. Davis, co-writer of Bob Marley’s Wake up And Live and Nadine Sutherland’s Starvation on The Land, expressed an interest in working with her but that did not come to fruition until recently.

Isaacs, who started recording songs 40 years ago while living in New York City, believes I’m Happy is more than a song for lovers.

“I want this song to create a ripple effect on the lives of others, making them productive and optimistic while appreciating every moment in life as a blessing to be celebrated,” she said.

Born in Kingston, Isaacs was influenced by jazz and R&B stylists such as Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight, as well as Marcia Griffiths and Phyllis Dillon who made their names in the 1960s rocksteady era.

She migrated to the US in the late 1960s and made her recording debut in 1982 with You And I, distributed by Moodie’s Records.

Since returning to Jamaica 20 years ago, Isaacs has recorded a number of songs including Together Again and A Little Bit of Heaven.