Amid the frenzied rhythms of soca and dancehall that currently dominate the Southern
Caribbean a new artist emerges; David Kirton, the calm in the eye of the storm.
His sound is a unique hybrid of roots-rock and pop that surprisingly... still
manages to be organic.
Kirton first came into the public's eye with his Midem Cannes 1999 performance.
Rolling Stone Magazine writer called him "unquestionably the most impressive
new act at Midem." The Colorado Independent review stated, "There's
a lot of the old natural mystic flowing through David Kirton's music, but the
music created by the Bajan artist is a new kind of Reggae." Caribbean Today
music editor rated his second album as one of the Top 20 Reggae Albums released
in 2000 and wrote, "Kirton has struck the right cord. He Brings to the
market place a refreshingly unique aura. His appeal is broad, easily satisfying
the mainstream audience, especially those who crave something new."
Kirton began writing music as a teenage Rastafarian surfer in his seaside wooden
house on the South Coast of Barbados. His need to be heard lead him to the studio
of Barbados based producer Chris Allman. The 1999 critically acclaimed debut
album 'Stranger' was released by RAS Records and Kirton's US West Coast debut
at Reggae on the River was booked. This was followed up with the headline slot
on the Barbados Stage on the 1999 Spirit of Unity Tour, headlined by some of
the biggest names in Reggae. For his second album "Modern Roots" Kirton
teamed up with hit Jamaican producer Michael Bennett. Shortly after recording
he proceeded began a two-year stint of touring the USA, four months of which
he spent as opening artist for the late Reggae Giant 'Joseph Hill' Culture.
Kirton returned to Barbados in 2003 to develop and refine his sound. He was
seeking to find the breathing space between alternative rock - reggae - folk
and soul. That search ended with producer Van Gibbs, who is one of the forerunners
in the development of the Southern Caribbean Sound. 'Time for Change', the first
single, was recorded in Miami at Boomtunes Studios. Chris Allman who instrumental
in the sound of Stranger is also on board producing a number of songs on the
album due for release in spring of 2007. The music video for 'Time for Change',
was Kirton's first. It filmed in Barbados by two time Pulitzer Prize and Sundance
Award winning cinematographer / director Tom Krueger. The video was voted to
# 6 on the MTV Tempo Cross Caribbean Countdown and stayed on the chart for over
five weeks. David's second video to his single 'Free to Fly' also produced by
Gibbs, features Paintings and art from William Attaway. It was filmed in Attaway's
Venice Los Angeles studio and features a cameo from Gary Durdin. David's talents
are being recognized at home where he received A Cornerstone Award for his contribution
to the development of Barbados Reggae Music at the Inaugural Barbados Music
Awards 2006 where he also performed. Not only interested in adult music David
Kirton released in 2003 a collection of original Barbadian children's folk songs
'Island Songs for Children" which was recently licensed by Fisher Price
for their FP3 Player. David Kirton continues to tour with his Barbados based
band.
Recommended release:
 |
Title: Time for Change
Artist: David Kirton
Year: 2007
Label: Bird's Eye Music
More info: www.davidkirton.com
Where to buy: Amazon | CD Baby |
Tracks:
01 - Miss The Water
02 - Sugar
03 - Money
04 - Time For Change
05 - Green Camouflage
06 - Aye Aye
07 - Your Love
08 - Free To Fly
09 - Rainbow
10 - Romantic
11 - Lookin' Fa Heaven |
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