BURT Bacharach, one of the great composers in popular music, died On February 8 in Los Angeles at age 94. He and songwriting partner Hal David, who died in 2012, are responsible for countless memorable songs, several of which were recorded by Dionne Warwick.

Many of Bacharach’s songs were interpreted by leading artistes including Isaac Hayes, The Carpenters, Luther Vandross, and Ronald Isley of The Isley Brothers. Jamaican artistes also admired his penmanship; Wayne Armond’s 2007 instrumental album, Always Something There to Remind Me, heard him cover 10 Bacharach classics such as the title track, Any Day Now, On my Own, Walk on By, and a House is Not a Home.

Armond, best known as guitarist/vocalist with the band Chalice, said at the time that his admiration for Bacharach dated back to the 1960s when the songwriter was at his creative peak. He noted the American’s love for gentle melodies and thoughtful arrangements.

In 1977, Sugar Minott had a big hit with his lovers rock version of A House is Not A Home, produced by Clement Dodd. That oft-covered song was originally recorded by Warwick.

Dennis Brown covered several Bacharach songs including 1969’s Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head which was first recorded by B J Thomas, and Any Day Now, originally done by Chuck Jackson in 1962. Diana King made pop charts in 1997 with a take on I Say a Little Prayer, a hit for Warwick in 1967. One year later, Aretha Franklin’s uptempo gospel version also made the Billboard charts.

The Jamaica Jazz band recorded a horn-based version of Walk on By for their 1998 album, Double Barrel.