Tower Band has released its 16-track mixtape titled Dancehall Future.

The band performed tracks from the ZJ West-mixed project during a launch at Janga’s Soundbar and Grill in New Kingston on Wednesday night at Supa Heavy Wednesdays.

The project features collaborations with Rytikal, who also performed at the launch; Yaksta; Charly Black; and 10Tik.

“The effort that went into this mixtape was like four years in the making. Sleepless nights, back and forth with production and writing, so the Dancehall Future mixtape is really a representation of how persons can perceive how they see the band doing dancehall and as a recording artiste,” band leader and drummer Andre “Kryss Ras” Barnes told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash shortly after the launch.

Rayon “Professor” Smith, keyboardist and co-producer of Dancehall Future, shared that the fact the members of the band played instruments it was intentional for it to have a melodic sound and feel.

“The project is a culminative idea, comprising all of the different interests that all of us have. We decided to put it together in musical form and decided that we are going to present it in a way that is a little bit different. Seeing that we are also band members, we’re musicians, and we wanted it to be melodic,” Smith explained.

Some of the tracks featured on Dancehall Future mixtape include Haters Stay Far and Rising Light.

And the members are taking the music on the road with multiple shows.

“The Dancehall Future mixtape show is going on the road. On June 12 we will be in Junction, St Elizabeth, then on June 20 we’re in Manchester. We head to Portmore on June 26 and then Kingston and Portland on June 27. It’s going to be a treat for people who love dancehall music and those who love live music,” said Barnes.

Tower Band in action.

Tower Band has been in existence since 2015. It started out as a backing band and evolved into a show band.

Said Barnes: “In 2022 we did the show New Rules with Skeng and we saw how people reacted when we performed. We have backed artistes like Sizzla, Bugle, Marcia Griffiths, Masicka, Aidonia, Charly Black, and Valiant.”

The mixtape is powered by Winchester Xavier Associates Jamaica Limited and Stage Sound Solution and released via Tower Music Group label.

Barnes highlighted the fact that Tower Band distinguishes itself from other musical aggregations.

“We are a dancehall performing band. We are the only band that’s bringing dancehall music as one of the bands of this generation, and we want to become a force to be reckoned with by creating an impact with this generation. We take our music seriously, and we ensure that the songs are connecting. That, for us, is the focus,” he said.

Vocalist and guitarist Corey Coombs said the members of the band share common interests, which helps to keep the unit together.

“We have a common goal and passion and we are friends. We do share many things in common so that helps to keep the band together.”

— Kevin Jackson