Whenever Hopeton Lindo steps into a recording studio as producer or singer, creating songs that make an impact in Jamaica is one of his objectives. That paid off early this month when Favorite Riddim, his seven-song compilation album, topped the weekly Jamaica Music Countdown Top 10 Albums/CD Chart.

Released in April by his Irie Pen Records, it contains songs by Lindo, Sanchez, Anthony Malvo, Inique Novel-T, Peter G and a remix by veteran sound system selector/producer King Waggy Tee.

“It’s a great feeling as I know how competitive it can be, so to be accepted and approved by my country of birth is a blessing,” said Lindo, who lives in South Florida.

Over the years, he has forged solid professional relationships with Peter-G and Novel-T, recording and producing chart-topping singles in Florida with them.

Not Taking No by Peter G and I Love The Way by Novel-T went number one on the South Florida Reggae Chart.

“Producing the same artistes has its advantages as I get to know them on a different level. I also enjoy breaking new artistes as I love to share the blessings of the Almighty,” he said.

From the Kencot community in Kingston, Lindo cut his teeth working on sound systems in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Malvo, Tiger, Everton Blender and Pad Anthony were some of his contemporaries.

During the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, he had a big hit with Territory.

Lindo also established himself as a songwriter; Temptress by Maxi Priest, Telephone Love (JC Lodge), Mr Loverman (Shabba Ranks) and Red Rose for Gregory by Gregory Isaacs are some of the hit songs he has written or co-written.

Howard Campbell