Reggae romantic

Lover’s rock heavyweight Beres Hammond
discusses music, lyrics and ladies

SMOOTH GROOVES: Beres Hammond

by ERIN MACLEOD

Beres Hammond is one of the most well-loved performers in Jamaican music. Over the years, the man has consistently released some of the most memorable and enjoyable tunes in the lover’s rock genre, keeping this romantic style of reggae interesting. The new album, A Moment in Time, will be out this October, but VP Records has released a digital version of the record in advance of Hammond’s fall tour. Not only does the album feature the vocal style that fans have come to know and love, but the title track is produced by Nastassja Hammond, Beres’s daughter. Hammond spoke to the Mirror about his new music, his process, and the importance of pleasing the ladies.

Mirror: Digitally distributing the new record is an interesting approach. Do you think this is an example of a new trend in Jamaican music?

Beres Hammond: It’s always going to be changing, our music. I know that as Jamaicans, as quickly as time and technology changes, we are ahead of that. We grow with each day that passes, and we adapt very easily to everything that is happening. What I’ve noticed over the past few years is that we have come up with quite a bit of beautiful voices. I am not too sure about the lyrical content of some of them, you know?

M: What types of lyrics do you think are crucial right now?

BH: I like to think that lyrics should tell a story. You start at the beginning—like a movie. The beginning is interesting, the middle is interesting, and you look forward to hearing how the story is going to end. And that’s how I always see lyrics. That’s what I’m always looking for. It might sound a little old-fashioned, but that’s how I see it.

M: And your lyrics are quite clever and fun.

BH: (laughs) When I sit down and write, I lose myself. It’s a daily thing for me. Whatever comes to mind, when I get into the studio, that’s what I’m going to sing about. I don’t write them down on paper. I just look for the opportune time—the recording time—and I take out whatever frustration or good vibe on that particular track. I think that when you are finished with a song, it should be able to live and live and live, regardless of era. Whenever you play that song, it should feel like it’s now.

M: What do you think it is about lover’s rock that seems to have this timeless quality? It’s a genre that has endless popularity.

BH: It lasts. First of all, there is the rhythm and there’s a tempo. Tempo is a hell of a thing—if you can touch people with the right bounce, then you are all right. Secondly, there is a certain kind of arrangement that is always put to lover’s rock that kind of reminds you—it’s like you’ve heard this before, but it’s new. These are the reasons why lover’s has maintained popularity.

M: And it’s also because women like it!

BH: Yeah! When you play towards the women, as a singer, you wonder why you don’t have problems—you have to make sure you remember who you are servicing!

M: If you can get the ladies dancing, you’ve got it.

BH: Yes! You know what I’m saying! I think you could probably write this without asking me anything! (laughs)