Interview by : Alexandre Tonus
Pictures by : DR : Minor 7 Flat 5
on Friday, February 10th 2006 - 9 159 views
Less well known than he deserves among the general public, Josie Mel is nonetheless one of the favourite singers of many soundboys, thanks in particular to some superb singles released on labels such as Star Trail and Black Scorpio during the 1990s. Back today with a more personal album, “Rasta Still Deh Bout”, whose title single, a duet with Lutan Fyah, was a real smash, he was passing through Paris at the beginning of the month. A chance for Reggaefrance to go and meet him and try to make this talented artist better known.
Reggaefrance / Josie Mel, thank you very much for taking some time to talk with us. To start with, could you introduce yourself to the French public, tell us where you come from, what you do?
Josie Mel / Well, my name is Josie Mel, I come from the island of Jamaica and I'm a young master of conscious reggae. I have two albums to my name; the first, Freedom, is distributed by Wallboomers, the second, “Rasta Still Deh Bout”, is produced by Andre, at Minor 7 Flat 5.
A European label each time…
Yes, but two different labels. The first album was a compilation of songs from several productions in Jamaica, like Star Trail and Black Scorpio. This time it's a bit different: it was produced here too, everything was done by a European.
What do you appreciate about working with Europeans?
They're direct people. I like that. They tell you it's going to go like this and like that, and I like it. I appreciate direct people. It's better. No need to beat around the bush.
Because working methods aren't the same in Jamaica?
There are plenty of Jamaicans who are direct people too, but sometimes - I won't lie, only sometimes - certain people…
That's the case in Europe too.
Yes, it's the case everywhere. But sometimes it differs depending on the place. Some things are more straightforward with Europeans.
What about Jack Scorpio or Richard Bell? Are they “direct” people?
In a certain sense, yes, because they contributed significantly to Josie Mel's career. Richard Bell produced a few Josie Mel songs that helped me make a name for myself early on, as did Maurice Johnson of Black Scorpio. But I had to go further, to move forward. Their efforts weren't always sustained. So I had to progress, step by step.
As you said, your recent second album was entirely produced by a European. No singles have been released from it yet. How did that come about?
Andre is a producer who has spent a lot of time in Jamaica. He came over several times and that's how I met him. A good friend of mine introduced us. We started doing a few things together and he really liked it. That's when he thought about us “working” together. Nobody thought he was there because he wanted to make an album. That's how things came about.
The title of this album is “Rasta Still Deh Bout”, like your big hit with Lutan Fyah; how did you take the success of that song, how are you living it?
Praise God, so far it's been wonderful. It's going well and I feel good. To experience this after working for years and years in music, to see a song rise above the others, it's extraordinary.
Isn't it a little frustrating that it took so many years, when you see some youngsters like I Wayne exploding with a single song?
No, because everyone has a different path. Every success is different. I've never felt bad about my music or about myself. I'm confident. I know there are different paths to success. Some people arrive and already have the support they need, while others have to do as I did and work hard to get there. But I have no problem with working hard, I'm persevering.
I heard that this success with Lutan Fyah also gave you the idea of carrying on working together and producing more duets.
Yes, we have plans. We're thinking of doing more songs together, but there's nothing concrete for the moment. Sometimes Lutan Fyah isn't available while I am, and vice versa. So we're waiting for the right time to work together again.
Is the aim to make a proper duo like Conrad Crystal and Sugar Roy?
We don't really have that plan for now. We're planning to do a few more songs together, but in the end I don't think we have the will to be a duo like Conrad and Sugar. I think we'll each keep a solo career.
I noticed one very particular song on your album, the last one, Why. The riddim is very different, very soulful. How did that song come about?
Yes, it's a song with a rather “love” atmosphere. I got the idea, at least part of the idea, from listening to the riddim, because the riddim had been made before the song was written. All the songs on this album were written after the riddims. The riddims had already been built beforehand. So it was the riddim that gave me the idea of making this more “love” song, for the girls. Because I'm also that kind of person, I'm a romantic, someone who loves women.
You're very versatile, because you have plenty of conscious songs steeped in a strong Rasta message and then you also have this much lighter song called Let’s party.
Yes, I have lots of different moods, lots of different styles. Everyone has different vibes; there are times when we laugh, other times when we're sad because of certain events, times for partying. There are different levels in everyone's life and you have to balance between them, between every little thing. It's very complete work.
You've been to France before; how was it the first time?
I'm very grateful for my first time, because everything went well, alongside No More Babylon. Everything was spot on with No More Babylon, every time.
And how do you feel about the second time?
This time it will be great, it will be even better. And I know it will get better and better each time.
You're going to perform alongside Shinehead this time; what does that mean to you? Have you met him before? Do you think you'll sing together on stage?
No, I've never met Shinehead, but I'm very proud to share the bill with him. Shinehead is a great artist, he's one of the foundations. It's a real honour for me to perform alongside him. I don't think we'll sing together on stage. In any case, nothing like that is planned; but only time can tell us what will happen…
To finish, do you have a particular message to deliver?
Of course, as usual, as I always say: peace and love to everybody. Be conscious and united. Love one another and love God, regardless of colour, race, class or nationality. Just love and unity for all.
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