BIOGRAPHY
ERROL 'AKILA' BARRETT
*
"Jah Is A Light
Man Salvation
There Was A Voice
From Creation
Say how do we Earn Our Bread..."
*
ERROL BARRETT (a.k.a. Akila Barrett) singer, musician and songwriter, is the son of the late CARLTON BARRETT, drummer with the original WAILERS band that backed BOB MARLEY, and nephew of ASTON 'Family Man' BARRETT, also of the WAILERS.
Music has been in Errol's blood since birth and much of his knowledge of life and learning came from growing up surrounded by his father and uncle in the center of the most famous creators of Jamaican Reggae music. With such an upbringing, it was clear from an early age that Errol was destined to be a musical force to be reckoned with. He began his career in 1994 as drummer with Julian Marley's backing band, during a time when there was an upsurge of conscious Rasta artists emerging out of the Dancehall culture. This uprising of consciousness brought Errol's own life to a turning point and he felt an urge to be part of that movement.
Through his love and fierce respect for making music with traditional live instruments, Errol had unknowingly been initiated into what has become his calling today as player of many instruments and creator of conscious reggae music. In the past 4 years he has developed his multi-instrument talents, song-writing and performing skills to great advantage, earning self-confidence as well as in-depth knowledge of the music business in the process. Errol spent a great deal of his time with his acoustic weapon strapped by his side discovering his own unique voice and sense of style. He soon began boxing a riddim on his guitar to assist him with singing and writing lyrically redeeming songs about personal views and recent life experiences.
Errol's first release 'HUMAN RACE' has already got him considerable airplay and interviews on radio shows and music magazines as far as Jamaica, South Africa, Ghana, London and France. The single is distributed on his own label ONE DROP MUZIC and features an enticing electric guitar solo by Junior Marvin.
Finally, it was time for Errol Barrett to pour his lifetime experiences and talent into an album. To spearhead this potentially enlightening CD, Errol selected Tuff Gong Studios as the highly spirited training ground for him to expose the breadth of his talent and perfect the texture of his voice. At Tuff Gong he gathered around him some of the best veteran musicians Jamaica has to offer, including the renowned Wailers Band, Earl 'Chinna' Smith, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace, Desi Jones, Ibo Cooper, Dean Frazer and Glen Brownie.
The album features evocative and at times provocative conscious lyrics with an overall sound that rocks to the strong hypnotic Roots/Rock/Reggae grooves including elements of DUB true to this genre of music. The improvised guitar tactic of the title track 'CHANGING PEOPLE' works well with Earl 'China' Smith's wah-wah pedal used as a device to emphasize certain parts of the lyrics. Errol's uncle, Family Man delivers his authentic touch on 'BABYLON IS BURNIN' and Errol himself expands his creative flair by playing the rhythm guitar and the Kette drum on 'MOTHER OF CREATION' showcasing his talent and displaying the Rastafari consciousness of this young musical artist.
Three years ago Errol Barrett was webcast live on the Internet when he performed a vibrant treat for media and guests at the International Reggae Day Festival held at the Bob Marley Museum.
Errol BARRETT singer, writer and bandleader custodian of 'Vintage Cultural Reggae' is dedicated to making ROOTS/REGGAE music. He is bound to generate success on several levels simply because he has a keen sense of motivation, creativity and business knowledge, making him the ideal Artist to become a significant contributor in the music scene today. By drawing on his Rastafari faith at the forefront of his vision for mythical themes to create seeming interpretations of the reality he witnesses, he takes us on an entire circuit of his personal being composing songs that sound not only fresh but startling.
On his self-produced debut album 'CHANGING PEOPLE', Errol Barrett emerges to display a talent that continues the tradition set by his distinguished family and the world-famous musicians they played with. It is good to welcome the newest member of a second generation of reggae musicians who seems set to follow in the spiritual footsteps of his famous ancestors.
CONTACT:
Clarissa Delprat
EMAIL: onedropmuzic@yahoo.com
WEBSITE: http://www.akilabarrettreggae.com
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.akilabarrettreggae.comTrack List:
1. Changing People
2. In Control
3. Rootsman Skank
4. Love Reggae Music
5. Human Race
6. Babylon Is Burning
7. Overstanding
8. Why Must We Live This Life So
9. Mother of a Nation
10. Remember Marcus
11. Rootsman Dub Vibes
12. Changing People Dub Vibes
13. Love Reggae Dub Vibes
14. Burning Babylon Dub Vibes
15. In Control Dub Vibes
Other Genres:
