A Zillion Kisses for Don Yute
DON Yute shows contrasting sides to his game on Yardie and Zillion Kisses, his latest songs. The former, done with fellow deejay Indigo God, espouses patriotism, while Zillion Kisses is a traditional reggae number that hears Don Yute in the unusual role of singer.
He told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash that Indigo God came up with the concept for Yardie, which he co-produced.
“The inspiration to the single was just being Jamaican, wi just letting the world know it’s one love and that we are a determined and persevering people,” he said.
Yardie is typical of the songs Don Yute has recorded since breaking out in 1993 with Loving Excess, a song he did with Wayne Wonder on producer Dave Kelly’s mega-successful Pepperseed rhythm.
Zillion Kisses, however, is totally different in feel and delivery. Taken from his 2018 album, Pandemonium, the song is produced by Adam Ben Lawi from Israel and features a flowing guitar solo from Zac Agassi, another lsraeli musician.
According to Don Yute, he envisioned Dennis Brown when cutting Zillion Kisses. Testing his vocals, he said, is his way of “bringing a fresh perspective to the industry”.
He added that, “I came up with the concept and my friend Adam Ben Lawi and Zac Agassi played the One Drop lovers rock vibe to perfection. I love One Drop reggae, it’s part of my vibe.”
Born Jason Williams, Don Yute was among a rush of middle-class youth from upper St Andrew who made the dancehall scene in the early 1990s.
Others include Sean Paul, producer Jeremy Harding, and the Coppershot Disco sound system. Loving Excess was one of the sizable hits on the Pepperseed. It paved the way for Don Yute to work with high-profile producers of the decade, such as Donovan Germain, Bobby Digital, and Steely and Clevie.
He had another hit song, You Own The Man, for Kelly while Steely and Clevie produced Hardcore which also did well for him.