Reggae musician Sanchez reflects on Bermuda, women and Gospel music

By Colin Thompson

Everything Reggae artist Sanchez touches seems to turn to gold — at least in a musical sense.

Therefore, it comes as no real surprise to see his latest single, titled ‘Him Buy You a Drink’, soar to the top of the charts in his native Jamaica.

Showcasing his versatility, the former dance hall singer co-wrote the single, which is also proving to be popular in Europe, played all the instruments and provided the vocals with his trademark soulful voice described by some as a ‘gift from a God’.

The song, says Sanchez, who has many fans in Bermuda, is one that he and other men “can relate to”.

“I can definitely relate to it,” Sanchez told The Royal Gazette. “Back in the days you find yourself with a little change and go to a session (party) and meet a girl and buy her some liquor and just feel to yourself you are supposed to have her for the night. I think that is wrong so I decided to put it on record for all the men to hear it.

“Hearing the ladies voice their frustration or disgust with the demands of men after they buy them a drink in the club was what inspired me to write this tune.”

Sanchez, who was musically inspired by reggae legends such as Dennis Brown and Bob Marley, makes it no secret that parenthood (he is father of five children) also inspired him to produce the single.

“I want my girls (three daughters) to know that’s how some men are,” he said.

Mature Reggae fans will recall the singer’s previous visits to Bermuda that were nothing shy of phenomenal.

“I remember I came to Bermuda and the police had to come because the people burst the gate down,” he recalled. “Another time I was there I was on stage for about one hour and 20 minutes and when I came off these people backed me up back stage.

“I escaped in my van and they started shaking the van saying they wanted more.”

Performing again in Bermuda is something Sanchez has not ruled out.

“I have to come back,” he said. “It is a must and I am missing Bermuda much. I know I am coming back, something is going to take me there.”

His latest single is one of the songs on an album Sanchez plans to release later this year.

“The album has a variety of songs,” was all the artist was prepared to reveal at this stage.

Sanchez, born Kevin Anthony Jackson, is enjoying a new lease on a career that has seen the artist churn out 28 albums more than 70 singles and perform on several continents.

He inked a potentially lucrative distribution deal with internationally renowned distribution company, New Millionaire Entertainment, last October. It is partnership that excites the veteran singer.

“I am overjoyed right now because I see a company that really means the artist well and the business well and I am so grateful and thankful,” Sanchez said. “I know for a fact good things are going to come out of this.

“I signed with this company in October and right now I have the number one song in Jamaica (“Him Buy You a Drink”) and it is in Europe and is number six in Italy. They are working and they mean what they said.”

Sanchez first rose to prominence as a dance hall reggae singer in the late 1980s.

He has also dabbled in various other genres including Rocksteady, Lover’s Rock, R&B and Gospel throughout a prolific career spanning more than two decades.

As well as producing another Reggae album, Sanchez is also working on another Gospel album.

“I have already completed five tracks on the Gospel album,” he said.

The singer’s Gospel songs have proven to be just as popular as his Reggae tunes among his adoring fans.

“Every time I go to a show my fans are asking me ‘when is the next Gospel album coming’,” he said.

Sanchez, who now resides in the United States, says gospel music is a part of his DNA.

“I was brought up in the church and have never left my Christian roots,” he said.

This year will see the singer tour Europe and North America to promote his upcoming albums.

“I am busting out,” he declared. “I have been locked up for awhile so I am going to do it to the fullest.”