Kurt Riley to release instrumental album in tribute to dad Winston Riley
Radio jock and producer Kurt Riley pays tribute to his father, the late Winston Riley with the release of an instrumental album called Winstrumental.
The five-song EP is scheduled for release in January 2023.
“I decided to call it Winstrumental, fusing both my father’s name Winston and Instrumental,” Riley disclosed in an interview with OBSERVER ONLINE.
The elder Riley who was highly regarded in musical circles for producing countless hits and giving several entertainers a voice, died in 2012 at the age of 65.
Winstrumental features Akuna Spirit, Beautiful Imani, Estate, Eternity and Perfect Mistake.
“I used a combination of musicians from Jamaica and Finland but I’m also personally highlighting some of the most talented guitarists, hence each track is led by a guitarist. Jevaughn Jones, Nicholas Groskoph, Lamont ‘Monty’ Savory, Ranoy Gordon and Elly B are some of the musicians who worked on the project,” said Riley.
Riley described the relationship with his father.
“My dad and I never normally see eye to eye on certain things. He showed me tough love, but as time went by, I understood him more and I realised in his own way, he didn’t want me to make certain mistakes in life. Personally, I wish he was still alive today.”
He shared some of the best advice that his father gave him as it relates to the music industry.
“He said many things to me but three stood out. Once you’re in music, someone must use you/take you for a fool. I can’t get away from it, but I will be an idiot if I let it happen over and over again. He also said just do music. All I need is to get a foot in or kotch the door. If they see you and your work is good, they will open the door for you, hence more work and opportunities. The other, money will show you which dogs will bite you when you assume all is well. They can’t help themselves,” said Riley.
Kurt, whose label is Jambian Music, is best known for producing the Latin-diamond certified hit Gyal You a Party Animal by Charly Black.
The elder Riley hailed from west Kingston and was a founding member of the famous Techniques harmony group which recorded at producer Arthur ‘Duke’ Reid’s Treasure Isle label.
He was best known as a producer of countless hit songs. Two of his biggest hits were Dave Barker and Ansell Collins’ ‘Double Barrel’ which made the British national charts in 1971, and the much-sampled Stalag ‘riddim’ which was done in 1974.
