PRODUCER Handel Tucker must be hailed for assembling an ‘A’ list of artistes and musicians to work on a project to benefit the people of Haiti. Handel, who has so far recorded both Tarrus Riley and Luciano (Saturday and Sunday), says these two singers have set the standard by raising the bar very high.

“This is going to be a pretty powerful project,” he said, explaining that the artistes are as excited about it as he is.

Among the artistes who have given their bond to work on this Hear The Calling project are Toots Hibbert, Jimmy Cliff, Marcia Griffiths, Beres Hammond, Sly & Robbie, Dean Fraser, Harry T, Damian Marley, Maxi Priest, Cherine Anderson, Terry Lyn, Beenie Man, Barrington Levy, Bounty Killer and Mavado.

And, according to Handel, “We didn’t have to convince any of the artistes. They all readily agreed, and even those who had commitments have been finding a way around it. For example, Jimmy Cliff is in Paris right now and we’re trying to find a way through technology, to make it happen. Maxi is in Montego Bay, but we are arranging for him to do his piece. I really feel good about it,” he said yesterday while at Tuff Gong doing the second recording session.

Tucker and his “diverse group” of artistes will be recording at either Mixing Lab or Tuff Gong for most of this week and he mentioned that this will be a live track with musicians matching the calibre of the artistes. He has even invited a musician who has worked with fab international artiste, Josh Groban to lend his support to the project.

Tucker and Raymond Azan — founder of For Jamaica and co-writer of the single — will be collaborating with charitable organisation, Food For The Poor, as all proceeds from Hear The Calling will be donated to the Haiti relief effort.