TWO years ago when producer Oliver Millwood approached Novel-T to cover The Emotions’ So I Can Love You, the singer was unable to take up the assignment. One year later, he made a second call and she was ready.

Her reggae spin on the 1969 soul classic was released in late May by No Choice Music Group label. It has been number one on the South Florida Reggae Chart for the past two weeks.

Novel-T, whose songs have done well in South Florida and tri-state reggae circles for several years, says she was “slightly familiar” with the original, which was The Emotions’ breakthrough song. Besides the reggae beat, she went for a different approach.

“Well, I’m not one to try to reproduce a song exactly like it was before, I try to make it my own in some way. I listened to the original just enough to get the melody and the general direction of the song, then I figure out how I can put my own feel and sound to it, while still having enough of the original flavour to make it authentic and recognisable, but different,” Novel-T explained.

So I Can Love You continues a consistent run for the vocalist who is from August Town in St Andrew. Songs like Love Won’t Let us Wait (with Peter G), Keep it Moving and Two Makes One have earned Novel-T (given name Novelette Fellows) a strong following in South Florida where she has lived for many years.

So I Can Love You opened the floodgates for The Emotions, three sisters from Chicago. Working with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, they had a number of hit songs during the 1970s including Don’t Ask my Neighbours, Best of my Love and Boogie Wonderland.

Novel-T also credits someone close to home for her doing So I Can Love You justice.

“My musical director/husband, Howard Perry, works with me on the vocal arrangement and liberties I want to take, making sure it’s all in good order,” she said.