Veteran performer Jah Cutta (real name Carlton Williams) is celebrating his first #1 song in a career that spans over 40 years.

His cover of the Marvin Gaye classic How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) is the new #1 song on the Reggae North Canadian Top 20 Reggae chart.

When the Jamaica Observer caught up with the Montreal-based Jah Cutta (he is originally from Yallahs in St Thomas and migrated to Canada at age 10 in the 1970s), he was ecstatic about the song’s accomplishment.

“It’s like a grader truck lift you up out of a pit and put you on solid ground. Mi say, yes, people finally a recognise the hard work that I have been putting in all these years. Is over 48 years mi a sing, and God never gave up on me. This is truly inspiring,” said the artiste.

He thanked Reggae North Radio in Canada for supporting his career and those of emerging reggae acts in Canada.

“I have to big up Tony Anthony, him know mi from long time and him see the work that I have been putting in. God see the emergencies that I have faced in my life, the hardships that I have been through over the years. I spent several months in the hospital and God pulled me through. This song was inspired by the blessings from the Almighty and all the obstacles that I have been through,” Jah Cutta shared.

How Sweet It Is is produced by Bee Rich Productions and included on the album Jah Cutta Sings Gold, which was released a year ago. It also has covers of classic songs including Pitta Patta, Tears on My Pillow, and Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.

Some of the musicians who played on the project include Lloyd Parks, Dean Fraser, Robbie Lyn and Dwight Pinkney. The album was recorded at Tuff Gong studio.

“For many years I was a deejay, but I made the switch to singing. This is my second hit song. In 1980 I had a song that was popular in Canada called Tribute to Ethiopia. It became my signature song and from there I never looked back,” said Jah Cutta.

He has, to date, released eight albums and he has performed in Jamaica at Rebel Salute and Western Consciousness. He is gearing up to commence a tour of Canada to promote the album.

Elsewhere on the Reggae North Canadian Top 20 Reggae chart,  Wheel and Come Again by Skystar inches up to #2, while The Fire Inside by 12-year-old Jazmin Headley featuring Richie Stephens and Bounty Killer falls from #1 to #3. Protect Us by I-Noah and Set Me Free by Memberz Syndicate are #4 and #5.

Over on the Rebel Vibez Top Ten Canadian Reggae chart, Feels Like a Movie by Celena is #1, while
Wheel and Come Again by Skystar holds down the #2 spot. Show Us the Way by Eddie Bullen featuring Kandice KASH, Tasha T and Mel Dube remains at #3, Forever More by Jurney Star falls to #4 and Student of a Broken Heart by Exco Levi is #5.

Voice of the Caribbean, a South Florida-based radio station keen on promoting Jamaican music, shared its Florida Reggae and Dancehall Top 20 Radio Singles chart.

Feel So Alive by Maxi Priest and Sean Paul takes the #1 spot, with Boom Body by Shaggy, Akon and Aidonia falling to #2. Faith We a Keep by Sean Paul rises to #3, Boss Up by Shenseea is #4, Victorious by Vybz Kartel is #5, Montego Bay by Shuga is #6, while What I Like by Moliy, Ayetian and Tyga moves into the #7 spot. Emotions by J’Calm and Nigy Boy is at #8, Keys by Masicka #9, and Feel it by Protoje is #10. The sole new entry is Forever Grateful by Keznamdi and Masicka, at #19.

And now onto the Billboard Reggae Albums chart, Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers clocks 318 non-consecutive weeks in the #1 spot.

Best of Shaggy: The Boombastic Collection by Shaggy remains at #2, while The Trinity by Sean Paul re-enters at #3.

Dutty Rock by Sean Paul inches up to #4, World on Fire by Stick Figure dips to #5, while Greatest Hits by UB40 slips to #6.

Wisdom and Set in Stone by Stick Figure are #7 and #8, with Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers and Welcome to Jamrock by Damian Marley holding down the #9 and #10 spots.

On Billboard’s World Digital Song Sales chart, Jamaican (Bam Bam), a reconstructed house/techno remix of Sister Nancy’s Bam Bam by HUGEL and SOLTO, slips from #5 to #3.

Boom Body by Shaggy, Akon and Aidonia rises from #33 to #31 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart.

When You Gonna (Give it Up to Me) by Sean Paul and Keyshia Cole continues its upward trajectory, after re-entering charts after 20 years. The song moves up from #74 to #61 on Billboard’s Global 200 Excluding US chart, while moving up to #46 on the UK Singles chart. It also rose to new peaks on charts in Europe: #22 in Austria and #64 in Ireland.

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