When producer Michael Coburn approached Sprain Brain to be part of his Roots & Herb Riddim compilation album, the deejay found the project appealing, given his farming background.

He contributes the title track to the 14-song set which was released by Coburn’s Reggae Vibes Productions. It also includes songs by Ginjah, Lenn Hammond, Parrable and Kreation.

“Roots an’ herb is a from birth thing. From wi a guh school an’ grow wid wi granny, shi a tell yuh sey fi pop off piece a limb from the lime tree, or di grape tree or orange tree. Wi grow up in a rootsical way, suh it flow out inna di music,” he said.

Sprain Brain (real name Jeffrey Campbell) is from Clarendon and was raised in a family who made their living from agriculture. He is also a professional farmer, growing vegetables such as pak choi, carrots, lettuce and okra on his farm.

But there has always been time for music. The first ‘artistes’ Sprain Brain listened to were his uncles, who did renditions of songs by Garnet Silk and Professor Nuts.

As for the professionals, his biggest influences are Sizzla, Spragga Benz, Beenie Man and Cham.
Roots & Herb is Sprain Brain’s first released song for Coburn, a veteran of the Big Apple reggae scene who has worked with artistes including Ky-Mani Marley, Courtney Melody and Ras Shiloh.

It is fitting that it is inspired by a lifestyle he has embraced since youth.

“Wi naah sey wi perfect, but wi try wi best to uplift healthy eating,” said Sprain Brain.

Howard Campbell