INTERVIEW
Interview by : Benoit Georges
Pictures by : Benoit Collin
on Wednesday, August 04th 2004 - 10 275 views
Enjoying prestige and great popularity in the Jamaican community, Sanchez is more than a simply successful lovers singer. Honoured several times for his vocal qualities, in gospel as much as in reggae, he has released nearly 30 albums and played to acclaim on the international stages. Sanchez is a fan of soul or gospel covers, a style of reggae that sells little in France but should not make us forget a continuous presence in the dancehalls with numerous hits, Frenzy being the latest.
He had never been to France until this summer, when he gave a series of impressive performances across Europe. It was therefore the opportunity for Reggaefrance to meet him in all simplicity and truly believe our ears.
Reggaefrance / Welcome Sanchez, it's a real pleasure to meet you in Paris
Sanchez / It's a pleasure for me too. For the first time… After 19 years in the circuit, it's truly a blessing, believe me.
Can you remind us how you started singing?
I started singing in church. I led up to three different choirs. The Sunday choir, the junior choir and, occasionally, the senior choir. So I was very active in the church.
What was the first song you recorded?
My first song was Lady in red. It was for Redman of the Redman International label. Then Winston Riley (singer and producer of the Techniques label) carried on. After Winston Riley came Fattis Burell (Xterminator label). And after that I was everywhere; all the producers and all the promoters wanted to work with Sanchez!
From what we can hear in the clashes, you're still tied to the sound systems…
All the time! First of all because we have to make ‘‘ specials ’‘ for them… Anyway, sound systems are the people who play on certain avenues and in certain neighbourhoods, and who actually promote the artists. So you have to stay very close to the sounds. My first sound system was Rambo and then… there are so many! Small Axe for example, as my wife is reminding me! Sounds like Chrystal. In fact I grew up with those sounds, they went along with me and I worked for those sounds. The sound system is the essence.
Black Kat has been my sound for a long time, Pantha and his massive… Almost every sound in Jamaica has to play a Sanchez dubplate. Stone Love, everybody knows that name, everybody!
Have you always written and sung love songs?
To be honest, no. In fact, I started out as a cover artist. I would get on stage and sing somebody else's song, trying to do it as well as I could. But I wanted to move on to another stage. And I felt the need to write songs. That's what I did, and it had an impact. Never dis the man with the handle, I can’t wait, Praise him, Frenzy, I wrote all of those songs.
Speaking of covers, which artists inspired you?
Speaking of covers, I'd mention people like Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Brook Benton, Nat King Cole. They opened the way. But if you're talking about ‘‘ foundation ’‘, it's artists like Bob Marley or Dennis Brown. They opened the way too, so that we could build careers in reggae.
In the United States and in England, you're regarded as a great lover artist…
That's true.
Do you find it harder for a Jamaican to offer this kind of lovers rock to a European audience?
I don't think it's difficult. It's up to you to do it the best you can. This is my first time here, and from what I've already seen, there's love and a great focus on the music. Because they take in all kinds of music and sometimes love it more than we do. Trust me, I'm here and I love what I sing. I just want to be part of this movement in Europe.
You've done combinations with other artists…
Yes, with artists like Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Flourgon, Lady Saw. But now I've teamed up with artists like Diana King, Lexxus, Sean Paul and others who will all be on my new album, coming soon.
By the way, what are your plans?
My new album, as I said, is already finished. We don't need to canvass: everybody wants Sanchez! So I'm waiting for the right moment. We'll give ‘No more heartaches’ a little more time because it's still good and I don't want to use one song to kill another. We'll take our time and then release the new one. It's always a pleasure, every single moment.
Who is producing this album?
It's produced by Hans and Jerry of Chronic Records in Miami. So I don't have to worry.
Do you have a favourite song, one you could sing to your wife, for example?
Of course. I'd say Never dis the man with the handle. Although it's a reggae tune, it's more or less a Christian song. It's an uplifting song like a gospel, which is why I could sing it to my wife, because she's a Christian. I try to keep my songs clean.
Do you have a message for the French audience?
My message: first of all, keep on loving reggae because it's a true culture and it's all we still have today. Honestly, reggae is what holds us together. Especially for those who keep it clean, because I agree: some of us try to twist it, without even thinking about the things they say. But I think a majority of us try to keep the music clean.
Thank you, Sanchez
Sanchez's official website: http://www.sanchezmusic.com
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