Jamaica may be the land of dancehall-reggae, but there are people there who love country music, hip hop and rock. Veteran drummer Paul Kastick has been a headbanger for decades.

He salutes his rock influences on ‘My Reggae Rockin’ Journey Vol 1’, his first album, which was released on September 13. It contains reggae covers of popular rock songs by acts like Whitesnake, Poison, Steely Dan, The Red Hot Chili Peppers and The System. 

For Kastick, working on the project returned him to an era during the 1980s when he discovered rock music through a hip new cable channel.

"The whole advent of MTV, I was saturated with that vibe. It grabbed me on a whole other level,” he said.

‘My Reggae Rockin’ Journey Vol I’ has 15 songs, including ‘Hear I Go Again’, a power ballad originally done by Whitesnake; ‘Every Rose Has its Thorn’, the 1988 smash made famous by Poison and ‘You're  in My System’, a 1982 dance song by American band The System.

‘Night by Night’, a Steely Dan original, preceded the release of ‘My Reggae Rockin’ Journey Vol I’ last year. It also marked Kastick’s debut as a lead vocalist.

Kastick produced most of the songs on the set for his Groove Galore Muzik label. ‘Night by Night’ and a cover of The Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ‘I Could Have Lied’, are produced by American guitarist Rudy Valentino.

Kastic started his career in the 1980s with the 809 Band which had ace musicians such as saxophonist Dean Fraser, bassist Michael Fletcher and guitarist Winston “Bo Pee” Bowen. He has recorded and toured for many years with Maxi Priest and Big Mountain.

Written By Howard Campbell