A big band/swing standard, Perfidia, found its way into Jamaican dancehalls during the late 1960s, through Phyllis Dillon’s rocksteady version. Chaka Demus and Isha Bel are the latest artistes to put a spin to the classic song.

Their version, co-produced by Chaka Demus and Grub Cooper, was released on August 7 by Bright Star Productions/Tuff Gong International.

Isha Bel, who first met Chaka Demus 10 years ago, said they both love Dillon’s Perfidia, which was produced by Duke Reid and released in 1967.

“It was a mutual decision [to cover], but Chaka initiated it by inviting me to be part of his upcoming album project. He told me to choose a song I genuinely loved so he could add his deejay parts to it,” she disclosed. “I suggested Perfidia, and as soon as I brought it up, he said, ‘Yeah, that’s the song I was thinking of.’ ”

Cooper, the former Fabulous 5 drummer/vocalist, was recruited for the project by Chaka Demus. In addition to co-producing Perfidia, he played drums. Cooper was accompanied by veteran keyboardist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul and bassist Ian Knight and guitarist Rajae “G Sharp” Rochester.

Isha Bel.

Aware that reggae fans are familiar with Dillon’s take, Isha Bel and Chaka Demus agreed to add a different flavour to their cut.

“We wanted to do something totally different from what people were used to. Chaka arranged the song to balance both the male and female perspectives on heartbreak so it wouldn’t feel one-sided,” she explained.

Perfidia is the second release from Chaka Demus’s upcoming album, which is a joint production between his Bright Star Productions and the Marley-owned Tuff Gong International. The first was Jealous, a collaboration with his long-time music partner Pliers, Tanto Metro, and Devonte.