With the 60th anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie I’s state visit to Jamaica approaching, singer Joseph Benaiah revisits His Majesty is Coming, a classic song dedicated to the Ethiopian monarch. The original, recorded by The In Crowd, was released in 1978.

Benaiah’s self-produced cover came out on March 16. He told Observer Online that he always liked the song, and was encouraged to do a refresh by keyboardist Robbie Lyn, a former member of The In Crowd who played on the original.

“My general approach when covering a song is to do it just as good as the original or better,” said Benaiah.

In addition to Lyn, drummer Kirk Bennett, Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin and saxophonist Dean Fraser played on his version of His Majesty is Coming.

A veteran guitarist who has played in several bands, Benaiah said the song retains a timelessness 48 years after it was released.

“What appealed to me about ‘His Majesty’ is the arrangement, nice sounding horns and great vocals. It was a song that was loved all over, I haven’t spoken to any musician who didn’t like this song,” he stated.

Written by Fil Callender, The In Crowd’s founder and guitarist, His Majesty is Coming appears on Man From New Guinea, the band’s 1978 album which was distributed by Island Records.

Benaiah was a boy in Kingston when Selassie I visited Jamaica for four days in 1966, starting April 21. His arrival at what was then the Palisadoes Airport in Kingston drew thousands of raucous Rastafarians who believed he was God.

Selassie I died in August 1975, one year after he was overthrown in a military coup. He was 83 years-old.