Veteran singer Carl Meeks released his latest album, Legendary, in April. He co-produced the 10-song set with Big Yout Ya Records.

Based in South Carolina, Meeks is best known to dancehall fans for Weh Dem Fah and Youthman, which were big hits during the 1980s.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, he said Legendary was, “Inspiring and spiritual. It has a divine concept and ‘rootical’, cultural, dancehall vibes.”

The album contains three previously released songs — Mash up The Dance, String Up The Sound and Jack it Up. There are several collaborations on Legendary including Be What You Want to Be with Papa Michigan and Have Some Approach, featuring King Kong.

It is Meeks’ first album since The Revolutionary Journey which came out in 2019.

The Kingston-born Meeks began recording music in 1983, but he first came to national prominence two years later when he placed second in the Tastee Talent Contest. He recorded songs for several producers before hitting the charts with producer Hugh “Redman” James, whose Redman International label was a leading player in 1980s dancehall.

James produced Weh Dem Fah and Youthman which made Meeks a star. Those songs are featured on Redman International: We Run Things, a multi song compilation album released in December 2023 by VP Records.

– Howard Campbell