A hardcore dancehall artiste, Ian Sweetness has a soft spot for Christmas. Whenever the season approaches, he reflects on his youth in east Kingston and the happiness it brought.

The veteran singer recently recorded Merry Christmas, his reggae spin on a Yuletide standard. It is produced by Earl Messam for Wildfire Records.

“The idea was (mine), ‘cause when I heard the track, that song came immediately to my head. It’s a song I heard Luther sing and I liked it for years,” Ian Sweetness told Observer Online.

Rhythm And Blues legend Luther Vandross is among the countless vocalists who have done versions of Merry Christmas. Crooners Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole have also done popular renditions.

Based in the United States for many years, Ian Sweetness has vivid memories of Christmas in Jamaica.

“The smell of sorrel in the atmosphere, grand market and gifts,” he recalled.

Merry Christmas is one of the songs Ian Sweetness has recorded for the Philadelphia-based Wildfire Records. Another is a cover of the soul classic, Ain’t That Loving You, which has been done in rocksteady/reggae form by Alton Ellis and Dennis Brown.

His version was released in November.

“I heard lots of covers (of the song) but Dennis Brown and Alton Ellis sing it the best. I did my version with more passion and soul,” he said.

Howard Campbell