As someone who came of age in Jamaica during the 1970s, Michael Eaton has a preference for the roots-reggae sound which dominated that decade. A committed Rastafarian, giving thanks to Jah plays an important role in his life.

On Confess, he does just that. The self-produced song was recorded and released two years ago by his Eaton Music label, but did not get adequate promotion.

Recently, the singer/songwriter revived the single.

According to Eaton, he had a “longing for more conscious music”, so he recorded Confess which has a rock guitar feel courtesy of American musician Alex DeVito.

Based in Staten Island, New York, Eaton has maintained a steady release schedule in the past two years, with Words Without Meaning another of his songs released during that time. He has also collaborated with Ethiopia-based Jamaican singer Sydney Salmon on Oh Lord and Trees, and Call on Me by American vocalist Emil Troy.

With each recording he does as an artiste, Eaton says the production process gets easier.

“It’s not difficult to produce my own songs, once you have the right musicians an’ everybody connect things fall into place,” he explained.

Eaton has a long association with the music business, particularly in New York City where his colleagues included engineer/producer Phillip Smart, one of the persons responsible for breaking Shaggy into the big time.

Oh Lord and Trees marked his comeback to recording as a producer. Confess and Words Without Meaning hear Eaton showing his worth as an artiste.

– Howard Campbell