After going to the depths of roots-reggae on his debut album, singer Clatta Bumboo returns with Attraction, a lovers rock song that shows a different side to his sound.

The Rhode Island-based artiste co-produced Attraction with Rohan Dwyer, the veteran studio engineer who also worked on Make Way Rasta, his album which was released last November.

“It’s a conscious shift in expression. I am growing on many fronts. As producer, writer and certainly as a singer,” said Clatta Bumboo. “Our culture, the Jamaican culture is big on love and the expressions of love, especially in songs; and if we are to give attention to the Jamaican songbooks, the rebel too knows love. Isn’t that what it is all about? Love and togetherness?”

Like Make Way Rasta, the horn-hooked Attraction features musicians from Jamaica and Rhode Island, where the dreadlocked Clatta Bumboo has lived for over 15 years. It recaptures a sound made popular by British acts during the 1980s.

He told Observer Online that his latest song has all the ingredients required for lovers rock.

“Overall, truthfulness. My journey has provided me with the confidence to be honest. Attraction is an honest project. It’s truthful,” said Clatta Bumboo.

Born Sheldon Townsend in Westmoreland, he started in entertainment working the north coast hotel scene as a disc jockey and entertainment coordinator. Clatta Bumboo launched his recording career in 2018 and released his EP, Future Water, the following year.

– Howard Campbell