Roots singers Milton Blake and Luciano were friends for over 20 years before they recorded a song together. That first collaboration was done in 2016, but the track only recently saw the light of day.

It nuh Over Yet is the title of their debut song together which is written and produced by Blake, who lives in Cleveland, Ohio. The song’s focus is something the two artistes relate to.

“The message is about staying strong, yuh know? Resilient,” said Blake. “Whenever trials or a slow period comes my way it makes me push harder. I will never give up.”

The song is done for his Lion and Lioness Productionz label. It nuh Over Yet hit the market two months after Temporary Obstacle, Blake’s third album, was re-released on vinyl.

Blake, who is from Clarendon, first met the Manchester-born Luciano in the early 1990s. They were trying to find their footing in the music business at a time when roots music was making a comeback.

At one stage, they were members of producer Philip “Fatis” Burrell’s Xterminator label alongside Sizzla, Mikey General and Jesse Jendah.

Blake is a key figure in the Cleveland reggae scene as a solo artiste. Shortly after moving to that city, he became associated with the River Nile Band, with whom he has done shows in Cincinnati, Chicago, New York and Connecticut.

– Howard Campbell