A fan of roots icons such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Dennis Brown since his youth, singer Imar Shephard also appreciated the softer melodies of groups like Boyz II Men and Air Supply.

While conscious messages dominate the songs he has released over the years, he is not afraid to show his vulnerable side. Which he does on Run in Circles, a song produced by Issachar Muzik out of Los Angeles.

Released in September by Tuff Gong International, it is about a lover feeling “an emptiness inside” since his Empress left the fold.

“I have experienced it before, it’s life. And as yuh know, music is life an’ life is di music. Wi put out things based on real experience an’ of course other people’s experience, wi jus’ translate it an’ bring it out in music,” he said.

Run in Circles is the follow-up to Moma and Morning Prayer, songs the St Thomas-born artiste released early this year. The latter is also the title of his second album, scheduled for release in early 2024.

Imar Shephard has been a recording since 2008, cutting songs for different producers including Demarco, Bobby Digital and Calibud, all of whom directed him on My Queen, his debut album which was released in 2017.

Run in Circles is among the songs he wrote during the COVID-19-induced break which shut down recording studios in Jamaica for over one year. Some of the songs he composed then are likely to be on Morning Prayer.

“Wi spend a lotta time at home writing a lotta songs, which wi record an’ still recording. So, where recording is concerned, I have been very busy,” he said.

Howard Campbell