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Roots-reggae singer Linval Thompson is not about to let anything stop him from continuing to be great. A shrewd businessman and music producer, as well as an in-demand singer, Thompson’s touring itinerary sees him being totally booked out for the rest of the year, while also fully involved in earning income from other streams.
He told The Gleaner that reggae music is big in Europe, where vinyl is king, and he is making wise investments in that area of music production. A thrilled Thompson also shared that one of the earliest songs from his repertoire has amassed 20 millions streams since it was put on streaming last year, and gave an insight into how he is investing those funds.
“Right now reggae music is the biggest thing. What I see is that the young yute them living off reggae in Europe. I see that for myself because me and dem a work. I work in Spain with a guy, Roberto Sanchez ... he is producing and he is pressing vinyl. Me and him start out early, but he get so big now. But guess what? He started recording the European artiste dem ... dem singing like Jamaicans ... a big ting a gwaan,” the expressive Thompson told The Gleaner while backstage at the Junior Byles tribute concert last week.
He continued, “With my style and the foundation that me have, dem need mi ... I am a producer also, and when I go [to] Europe I am pressing the vinyl. Even long-time vinyl from the ‘70s and ‘80s, including tunes I have from back then that wasn’t released. Right now, I have a song that is streaming 20 millions. It’s a song called No Other Woman. That is what I am making money money off right now. It was produced in 1976, but it streaming now from last year.”
This generation could learn a thing or two from Thompson, who is described as “one of the finest reggae singers from the roots renaissance and a very influential figure in the spread and creation of dancehall reggae”. The dub musician shared that the money that he has earned from No Other Woman couldn’t be squandered on gold chain and brand name clothes. He therefore invested those funds in pressing vinyl records.
GOOD USE
“I never expect the song to stream 20 million. It shock mi. And yuh see dem money deh, yuh cyan’t just spend it so. Mi haffi put it to good use ... a my style that,” Thompson said proudly
Reiterating that “vinyl is what is selling in Europe”, the Don’t Cut Off Your Dread Locks singer mentioned that one of the big sellers is Freddie McGregor’s massive hit, the classic Big Ship, which Thompson produced and released on his own Thompson Sound label.
“Right now I am also recording new artistes in Jamaica and tek it to Europe ... and I am pressing 45s and LPs. But is white man buying the vinyls ... dem expensive to press ... and the selling price is high. It’s not a black man market again, it gone out of our hands. Yuh see like Coxsone label and Channel One label and my label, Thompson Sound, that’s what dem looking for now,” he explained.
Thompson, whose most recent album, Ganja Man, was released last year on Irie Ites label, currently has “a whole heap a vinyl to go press” and distribute all over Europe.
“Dem interested in the old records, not the new songs. So, I voice artistes on the long-time riddim, just like what Coxsone [producer] used to do. And I have some Spainish people who want to voice me on 45 and dub plate,” he shared.
The singer, who rarely performs in Jamaica, said that he was heading for France for a number of shows, and was booked for Europe until the end of the year.
However, in-between those shown, he will also be making his maiden trip to Brazil.
“I’ve never been to Brazil before and a bid is going on right now for me. I don’t want to go for one show, I would prefer to do other countries in South America. So, I’m leaving Europe in September and going to Brazil and then back to France,” Thompson said.
In celebration of Reggae Month in February, Thompson was honoured by the Government with the Reggae Gold Award for his contribution to the music as both a singer and a producer.
English (US) ·