Rastafarian firebrand star Capleton is excited about the release of his upcoming album, “Heights of Fire,” an album title that he says is synonymous with his “relentless, fiery spirit”.

“This album reflects my vision of the world and the changes occurring around us. I aspire to offer listeners a source of inspiration and uplifting music that will guide them through life’s challenges, instilling hope for brighter days ahead and reinforcing the message that crime is not the answer,” said Capleton.

The album, which is produced by the indie label Evidence Music, features collaborations with legends such as Dennis Brown, Stephen Marley, and Junior Gong. Capleton praised the work of his studio engineer, Mixing Finger, who worked tirelessly on the album to make it a reality.

“This album is my heartfelt gift to my people,” Capleton stated.

Standout songs on the album include powerful singles such as “Behave Yourself” and “Red Again.”

Capleton has released over 15 studio albums throughout his career which began in the late 1980s. Some of his most acclaimed works include 1995’s Prophecy and 2000’s More Fire, which was nominated for a Grammy, and spawned hits like “Jah Jah City” and “Who Dem?”. Another standout album, Still Blazin’ in 2002, also earned a Grammy nomination for Best Reggae Album and featured the popular track “Cooyah Cooyah”.

The ‘Fireman’ recently returned to Jamaica after an incendiary performance at Reggae Land in the UK. His  onstage performance was simply exhilarating, with huge orange balls of flame exploding in the large backdrop behind him, dazzling pyrotechnics and images of the Eiffel Tower being incinerated in an apocalyptic inferno.

Capleton praised the expert vision of his graphic designer for creating an unforgettable spectacle that fully realised his vision.

“What set the Reggae Land experience apart was the stunning graphics that harmonised beautifully with the vibrant interaction between the audience and me. The visuals were nothing short of monumental, breathing new life into the reggae stage and elevating the spirit of Reggae Land itself,” he said.

Cabel Stephenson, a member of Capleton’s management team, shared that the addition of the fiery graphics to the Fireman’s set was really a “bonus for fans”.

“We wanted to tweak his stage presentation a bit to create an experience for the fans who come to see him every year and it perfectly complimented his fiery performance, he burned down north London,” said Stephenson.

Capleton has cemented his place as one of the island’s best live performers with a series of phenomenal onstage stints all over the world during the past year.

At the jam-packed Reggae Land concert in early August, Capleton was at his masterful best in front of an estimated 100,000 people at the Milton Keynes National Bowl in north London.

“One of the most memorable moments for me was the  acappella segment, which moved the crowd. The fireworks display took me by surprise, lighting up the night sky—it was truly over the top and a moment that will forever be remembered,” Capleton said.

ROLE OF DAVID HOUSE 

The entertainer is not often given credit for his work in elevating his fellow artistes with the David House Crew that helped with the emergence of several future stars like Jah Cure and Munga Honorebel.

“The David House Crew was created around 1993 or 1994, and during that time, welcomed many talented artists who passed through our ranks, including the likes of Jah Cure, Jah Mason, Munga, Moses I, Ffurious, Military Man, and Jah Thunder,” Capleton said.

One of the high points of Capleton’s year was the ceremony where he received the National Icon Award at Jamaica’s 63rd Independence Grand Gala celebration.

“After dedicating over 30 years to my craft, it fills my heart with joy to stand before my people and express my heartfelt gratitude. Every individual who strives for greatness deserves to be honored with integrity and dignity. While accolades are not my motivation, I embrace the recognition with humility. I create music to uplift my people and celebrate our culture,” he said.

On August 30, Capleton will end the summer on a high note as he will light up the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, joining forces with some of reggae and dancehall’s heavy hitters such as Shenseea, Alkaline, Elephant Man, Mr Vegas, T.O.K, Tony Matterhorn, and Tanto Metro and Devonte at the Reggae Fest Massive event.

Suzette Bennett, Capleton’s executive team member, said this weekend’s Barclays Center performance will play an instrumental role in the “lead up to his forthcoming album release”.

“This performance is the perfect prelude to the ‘Heights of Fire’ project as it will remind fans of the greatness of Capleton. This album will connect deeply with longtime fans while welcoming a new generation to his music, further energising his global fan base,” Bennett said.

-Claude Mills