While he loved Festival songs like Freddie McKay’s Dance Dis Ya Festival, Sprain Brain aka Jegz had no desire to enter that popular contest which has been held since 1966.

Early this year he was convinced to enter as a duo by fellow Clarendon native Mr C and they came close to copping top honours.

Competing as Mr C and Jegz, their entryCome Mek Wi Rally placed second to Abi-D’s Sweet JA. It is a career high point for Sprain Brain, a farmer from Mason’s River in Clarendon.

“Is a different stepping stone fi me, ‘cause it put mi inna upscale setting an’ mi like dat,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Prior to their collaboration, Sprain Brain (given name Jeffrey Campbell) said he and Mr C had limited knowledge of each other. The latter played in a band that performed at nine nights throughout Clarendon, but never recorded before.

On the other hand, he had a spattering of singles including Roots & Herb, produced by Michael Coburn for Reggae Vibes Productions. That New York-based label also produced Life Sweet, Sprain Brain’s latest single which was released on October 1.

Raised in a family who made their living tilling the soil, he maintained that tradition and became a professional farmer. Between listening to artistes like Sizzla, Spragga Benz, Beenie Man, and Cham, Sprain Brain grew various vegetables on his farm.

Released last year, Roots & Herb is the title track from a Reggae Vibes Productions compilation album which also has songs by Ginjah and Lenn Hammond.

— Howard Campbell