Gospel artiste and minister Kevin Downswell says the lockdowns related to the novel coronavirus pandemic allowed him to spend quality time with his family, after he became a father for the first time.

Tomorrow, July 1, Downswell, through his Downswell Records imprint, will release two albums, The Grace and The Shift.

“My absence from the music was partially because I wanted to focus on my family. I became father to a daughter during the pandemic and most of the inspiration for The Grace album are reflective of those experiences,” Downswell shared in an interview with the Jamaica Observer during a listening session for both projects at the Anchor Recording Studio in St Andrew.

The Grace took four years to complete.

“We started working on this album from 2019. For me, The Grace is a miracle album. We were done with the album and then the pandemic hit. It became more colourful, it got to another level, because as creatives, the experiences we went through at a time like that,” said Downswell.

Downswell shared that when he went into the recording session for The Shift he experienced difficulties with this voice.

“I went into that session hoarse. When I hit the first song the voice started to come back. It was magical,” Downswell recalled of the all-worship-songs album which features a collaboration with Rodney Price, stage name Bounty Killer.

“The song [with Bounty Killer] is titled Call Him and, thanks to Richie Stephens, who made it happen. I am truly humbled by the response and very grateful to have worked with Rodney.”

Several musicians and producers worked on The Grace and The Shift. They include keyboardists LJ, Ottey and Wade, drummer Wendel, Ron Matthison on bass, Monty Savoury on guitars, Dean Fraser on horns, The Journey, Richie Stephens, and Llamar “Riff Raff” Brown.

Said Downswell, “Since my last studio album, 2016’s All the Way, I have grown musically on these two projects. I can’t find words to describe that. On my last studio album I had things in my head and I wouldn’t [have been] able to vocalise it the way that I wanted to bring it out. Now I’m actually able to do that and also to write songs. Maturity, experience, have brought me to a place where I’m able to see from a different godly perspective, and to continue to ensure that my songs are still relatable and not over people’s heads.”

This Saturday, Downswell will have an album launch and concert at The Ambassadors on Hagley Park Road. Among those who will be performing with Downswell are Alicia Taylor, Johnmark Wiggan, O’shane Mais, Prince Saj, Oneil Watson, Jermaine Cowan, Lucas Musiq, and others.

“Some incredible things are planned for July 1. We will also be releasing three major songs that day as well. The event is gonna be magical,” the artiste said.

Downswell, who is originally from Westmoreland, moved to Portmore during his teenage years. After studying at Jose Marti Technical High school, he did the sixth form at Camperdown High.

Some 20 years ago he made his entry into the gospel fraternity when he entered and won the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Song Competition.

His debut album Close To You was released in 2008.

The now 41-year-old Downswell is known for hit songs including Stronger, All the Way, Goodbye World, and You changed My World.