Tad’s International Record is back with the fourth edition of its popular ‘Celebrating Jamaica’ albums. The latest is scheduled for release on August 1, five days before the country marks its 63rd year of independence from Great Britain.

‘Celebrating Jamaica 63 — Various Artists’ is co-produced by Tad Dawkins and Tad “TJ” Dawkins Jr.. It contains 16 songs, mainly covers of classic reggae songs as well as originals by leading acts such as Josey Wales, The Mighty Diamonds, Jesse Royal, Anthony B, Glen Washington, and Sanchez.

The Mighty Diamonds collaborate with Josey Wales and Singer J on their timeless ‘I Need A Roof’, while Jesse Royal puts a fresh spin on ‘The Tide is High’, originally done by The Paragons and made globally-famous by Blondie.

Leroy Sibbles, driving force behind The Heptones, revisits ‘Party Time’, one of that legendary trio’s biggest hits, while Sophia Squier covers ‘Hello Carol’, The Gladiators’ signature song.

Anthony B’s ‘Reggae Gone Pon Top’ and ‘Riot’ by saxophonist Dean Fraser and trumpeter Okeil McIntyre are two of five original songs on ‘Celebrating Jamaica 63’.

According to Tad Dawkins Senior, the production procedure was similar to previous projects by the company, which has offices in South Florida and Kingston.

“We have a core stable of artists that we work with throughout the years. The selection was a spontaneous process by myself and TJ from these artists,” he said.

Bassist Flabba Holt and Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, drummer Kirk Bennett, keyboardist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul and Carol “Bowie” McLaughlin and guitarist Mitchum “Khan” Chin are some of the musicians who played on ‘Celebrating Jamaica 63 — Various Artists’.

WRITTEN BY HOWARD CAMPBELL