Veteran roots singer Milton Blake will launch his “Temporary Obstacles” album in Kingston, Jamaica on August 7. The set contains 14 songs --- seven vocals accompanied by dub versions.
Produced by Lloyd Dennis of Pickout Records from the United Kingdom, “Temporary Obstacles” was actually released in 2019. Blake, who is based in Cleveland, Ohio, is keen for Jamaicans to hear his second album.
“That’s the foundation of roots-reggae and it’s lacking there now. Di dancehall man dem tek over; but you know, what I see as negative others see as positive,” he said.
Blake, who grew up on Rastafari and roots music in the community of Central Village, Jamaica, has been recording since the early 1990’s. His first song, “Healing”, was produced by guitar maestro Dwight Pinkney of Zap Pow and Roots Radics Band fame.
He moved to the United States Midwest just over 10 years ago. Blake’s first album, “People Need Jah”, was released in 2013.
Blake and his River Nile band are fixtures on live shows in Cleveland. They have also performed in Cincinnati, Chicago, New York and Connecticut.
“Nuclear Age”, “Trumpet Sound” and “Heir to The Throne” (with Mikey General) are some of the songs from “Temporary Obstacles”. Blake is also pushing the song “It’s Not Over Yet”, a collaboration with Luciano.
Written By Howard Campbell