KINGSTON, Jamaica – Never one to conform to music industry norms, Winston “Niney” Holness lived up to his maverick reputation by launching a new album on May 6 at age 80.

Niney Holness The Observer debuted to a full house at the Jamaica Pegasus in New Kingston.

The following day, the artiste/producer hosted a listening party in his suite at that hotel. Niney Holness The Observer contains 14 songs, including originals like Judas, Working For Jah (with Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt) and covers of Silver Words (a song he produced for Ken Boothe in 1974) and Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.

Niney began production on the album five years ago, a long time by industry standards. In an interview with Observer Online, he said everything was done on his terms.

“Mi nuh deal with no company, mi neva waan work a company who tell mi, ‘put in dis an’ put in dat’. Even if it cost mi $1 million US, me mek it di way I want,” he said.

The brash Niney got into the music business in the 1960s as a protege of fellow St James native Joe Gibbs. While he launched his Observer label during that decade, he came to international prominence in 1971 as a singer when his song, Blood And Fire, entered the British national chart that year.

Throughout the 1970s, Niney established himself as a producer. He had a series of hit songs, most notably with the teenaged Dennis Brown (Westbound Train, Cassandra, Wolves And Leopards, Love And Hate).

Although not as prolific, the Observer label was still active in the 1990s when its catalogue was re-distributed by independent American company, Heartbeat Records. Ten years ago, Niney launched the Observer Soundbox recording studio in Kingston, hoping to expose upcoming talent. After that search failed, he decided to revive his vocal career.

“When mi hear what a gwaan, mi sey better mi do it myself. What wi want to do with dis album is tek it straight to di Grammy,” Niney stated.

Several top musicians played on Niney Holness The Observer. They include drummers Sly Dunbar and Kirk Bennett; keyboardists Robbie Lyn and Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul, bass guitarist Flabba Holt and guitarist Dalton Browne.