Singer Jah Cutta had diverse musical tastes during his youth in St Thomas. He pays homage to his heroes on Jah Cutta Sings Gold, his 12th album which is scheduled for release in August by Be Rich Productions out of Montreal, Canada.

Jah Cutta, who has lived in that city for many years, recorded the songs at Tuff Gong studios in Kingston early this year with top musicians including bassist Lloyd Parks, guitarist Dwight Pinkney, keyboardist Robbie Lyn, and saxophonist Dean Fraser.

Pitta Patta and Tears on My Pillow by Ernie Smith are two of the songs Jah Cutta puts his spin on for the soon-to-be-released set.

There are also covers of Otis Redding’s That’s How Strong My Love Is and Percy Sledge’s My Special Prayer.

First release from the album is Pitta Patta, which came out in February.

Jah Cutta told the Jamaica Observer that Smith’s 1972 song about rainy weather love has always been a favourite.

“It is a song that I always love, so I kept it as close to the original as possible,” he said.

Lyn worked on the original Pitta Patta and Tears on My Pillow, which were recorded at Federal Records in Kingston, where Smith was a top artiste along with fellow singer Pluto Shervington.

That’s How Strong My Love Is, the second release from Jah Cutta Sings Gold, will be out this month.

— Howard Campbell