Because he started his career with two of dancehall/reggae’s most versatile artistes, Anthony Que learned never to limit his sound. Like his mentors, Sugar Minott and Beres Hammond, he is comfortable singing roots-reggae and lovers’ rock songs.

That blend can be found on Nah Give Up, his ninth album, which was recently released. It is produced by Stingray Records out of London, England.

“Wi always do songs with different textures…culture fi di roots man dem, lovers’ rock fi di ladies. Wi like keep everybody happy,” said Anthony Que.

The St Ann-born artiste wrote most of the 13 songs on Nah Give Up, including the title track Run to Me, So Lonely, Children of Africa, and Armageddon War. He also covers Bread’s soft rock classic, Baby I’m A Want You.

Anthony Que (real name Terrence Matthie) has covered a lot of ground since recording a reggae version of The Beatles’ Yesterday for Sugar Minott’s Youthman Promotions in the late 1990s. That was his first released song, followed by a stint at Hammond’s Harmony House, where his label-mates included Jah Cure and Ginjah.

A flurry of albums for independent labels helped give him a fan base in Europe, where he first toured in 2007. His first album, A Brighter Day is Coming, was released in 2003 with the critically-acclaimed Recharge And Reload, released by Jet Star Records two years later.

Nah Give Up hears him collaborating with Stingray Records, operated by brothers Carlton and Raymond McLeod, whose parents are from Clarendon. That company has released albums and songs by Freddie McGregor, Michael Buckley, Marcia Griffiths, Tarrus Riley, and Spanish reggae band The Emeterians.

Anthony Que is currently working on Sweet Caroline, an EP scheduled for release this summer.

— Howard Campbell