Ras Shiloh on the move
An American with roots in the South, Ras Shiloh admired the culture of Jamaicans who lived in his hometown of Brooklyn, New York.
When he decided to make music a career in the early 1990s, reggae was his sound of choice.
See It Deh, the veteran roots singer’s latest album, was released in July by Reggae Vibes Productions.
Produced by Michael “Jah Mikes” Coburn, Ras Shiloh says it reflects his commitment to making timeless music.
“I an’ I sing good songs through di years, so all praises to di Most High for keeping us working. Wi always moving around, always travelling an’ doing di Almighty’s work. Is like a ceaseless movement, that’s why it pays to make good music dat last di test of time,” he told the Jamaica Observer.
Three songs — the title track, Tears From My Eyes and On My Ship — from See It Deh were released prior to the album.
See It Deh follows (Dub) Wise Trilogy, a three-the-hard-way album featuring Ras Shiloh, Natty King and Bascom X that came out last year.
That was preceded in 2020 by Ras Shiloh Remembers Garnet Silk (Tribute), an eight-song salute to the neo-roots icon who died in 1994.
Shortly after Silk’s death, Ras Shiloh was officially introduced to Jamaican audiences at Countryside Club in Kingston. His breakthrough came in 1996 with Are You Satisfied, produced by Rebel’s Flames Productions on the popular Lalabella rhythm. Two years later, Ras Shiloh had another big hit with Child of A Slave, produced by Donovan Germain.
Born Thomas Williams, Ras Shiloh’s family are originally from North Carolina.
Soul singer, Betty Wright, was his cousin.
In his youth, he discovered Jamaican dancehall acts like Super Cat and Tenor Saw. The roots-reggae revival in Jamaica during the early 1990s also had a significant impact on him, especially Garnet Silk, one of its leaders.
See It Deh hears Ras Shiloh linking with Coburn, a Jamaican stalwart on the New York reggae scene. He co-produced Courtney Melody’s massive hit Modern Girl, and produced Ky-Mani Marley’s Many More Roads, which was nominated for a Best Reggae Album Grammy in 2002.
