Roots singer J Written was in the United Kingdom in October promoting Kaleidoscope, his debut album. The 10-song set was released in June by Tafari Music, a company owned by veteran American music insider, Gary “Dr Dread” Himelfarb.

J Written made the rounds in London and the Midlands, where West Indians have lived since the 1950s when the first wave of migrants from that region arrived in the United Kingdom.

“The listening party in the UK was great. From the attendance to the energy, it felt really good seeing I and my idrens work being celebrated for the good it possesses,” he told Observer Online. “The market over there is definitely one we are trying to tap into because I’ve always seen and appreciate the diverse culture of the people there.”

Listening sessions for Kaleidoscope took place at Christopher’s Lounge in Birmingham on October 23, and the following day at Donnanis Bar in London. J Written also did interviews with Beat Radio and London Luv Radio, and met with sound system operators.

He plans to continue pitching the album going into 2025.

“There is always a need to promote for me, I don’t think it ever stops because a mission exists in our works. We have a lot more to do in the UK, in France and in America. We definitely have many, many works to do,” said J Written.

Many of the dreadlocked artiste’s songs are inspired by the grittiness of urban life which he experienced as a youth in Payne Land, Kingston. J Written was a member of The Wailers Trio which also included Asadenaki, son of Bunny Wailer, and Blvk H3ro.

Since going solo, he has released a number of singles including Nothing Like Love and Sunday Morning.

Himelfarb founded RAS Records in the late 1970s. That all-reggae label worked with major Jamaican acts such as Culture, Israel Vibration and Gregory Isaacs.