It’s shaping up to be a busy election year globally, with national polls in the United States attracting the most attention. There is speculation Jamaica’s overdue local government election will be called by March.

Wary of the promises politicians make during the silly season, Sampalue hits them hard on Democracy, his latest self-produced song.

The singer told the Jamaica Observer that he has always been turned off by the “devious” nature of elected officials as well as aspirants to national office. Those feelings are expressed on Democracy, the follow-up to Give Thanks, which was released in June last year.

“It is a direct jab at all political systems; no country or island is excluded. It is a universal statement. The truth can be offensive, but it is not a sin,” said Sampalue.

Like his previous releases, he assembled top musicians for Democracy. They include Kirk Bennett on drums, bassist Donald “Danny Firehouse” Dennis, saxophonist Dean Fraser, and guitarist Lamont “Monty” Savory.

Sampalue, whose father is producer Phil Pratt, made his name in a similar role with the Diamond Rush label, whose biggest artiste was dancehall standout Lady Saw.

Six years ago he launched his career as a vocalist and followed up with Welcome to Hannah Town, his only album to date, released in 2019.

— Howard Campbell