KINGSTON, Jamaica —For many years, Jamaican artistes who live overseas have returned to their country to work with musicians and engineers to get an authentic reggae feel.

Errol Wizdom did that for his third album in 2025.

Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the singer/guitarist visited Kingston for recording sessions with musicians, including his sons George Williams and Errol Williams. The songs he did will be on Reggae Dancehall, his latest album, scheduled for release this year.

Wizdom, whose given name is Errol Williams, recorded his previous album, Rivers of Love, in Pittsburgh, where he has lived for over 30 years, but was not entirely pleased with the finished product. Hence, his decision to do some of the songs in Jamaica.

“There are definitely great vibes and more prosperity and quality. No matter what, I have to stick to my roots. I can’t change, Jamaica is my roots and the music as well,” Wizdom told the Observer Online.

Three of the songs earmarked for Reggae Dancehall — Cherry of My Life, Jamming on The Mountain, and the title track — were released in 2025.

Wizdom’s sons have backed their father on stage. Ian is more experienced, having toured with Jah Cure and played in Freddie McGregor’s band.

Two musicians based in Pittsburgh also contributed to Reggae Dancehall. They are Jamaican keyboardist Delroy Clarke and American soul singer Anni Mai.

Wizdom, who was raised in Trench Town, started his career in the 1970s. He recorded songs for producers Prince Tony and Junior Murvin – the singer best known for Police And Thieves – when he was a member of harmony trio, The Potentials.

As leader of the Errol Wizdom World Beat Reggae Band, he has been a pivotal figure in Pittsburgh’s reggae scene since the 1990s. He founded that unit in 1992 with Greg Hampton, an American.

— Howard Campbell