Award-winning reggae artist ZKing of Hearts returns with a breathtaking new album,
Happiness (Is In Your Heart). The native to the Caribbean island of Anguilla is
taking his unique sound to a new place, mixing his beloved reggae with hints of
dance and pop.
After two albums of roots-oriented reggae, ZKing has attempted something unorthodox,
outside his comfort zone and has emerged triumphant.
Happiness was produced by one the hottest, most in-demand producers around.
Peter 'Peas' McEvilley's youthful approach was the result of ZKing scouring
the world for a suitable producer. 'Peas' turned out to be just the right foil
for ZKing's vision of taking reggae to a mass audience.
ZKing, aka Daddy Roots, has musical credentials to be envious of. In November
2006 he won Best Reggae Vocalist at the 16th Los Angeles Music Awards and had
his song 'Magar Goat' featured in the 2005 movie Broken Flowers, starring Bill
Murray and Sharon Stone. His vocals and compositions have also been used on
the ABC show Men In Trees and in the Canadian TV movie Fugitive.
He has also found fans and friends around the world, having toured all over
America, including several major festivals such as Kalamazoo, Europe, Asia and
Africa, where in 2005 he played at Ghana's Emancipation Day celebrations.
ZKing's is reggae to his core, but incorporates a diverse range of influences
into his interpretation of the genre. These include BB King, Van Morrison and
Garnett Silk. And of course, Bob Marley looms large over all his music.
ZKing grew up on Anguilla, and by 17 was working as a beekeeper. Heard singing
one day in his home, he was asked by a local musician if he wanted to join a
band, and one thing soon led to another.
Of his upbringing he says: "As a kid growing up on a small island, there
was music everywhere you turn day and night. Young and old, all have the heart
for music."
Before long, he was gigging regularly at clubs and festivals all over his homeland.
He has recorded three albums: Two Sides of Love: Chapter One (2001), Love and
Honor (2002) and All Here Now (2003).
Now, as he moves in a new musical direction, ZKing is capable of taking the
world by storm once more with the blend of his native rhythms with modern, western
styles. Happiness is a groovy, sexy, bouncy and cheeky record, yet has moments
of sadness and contemplation too. The positivism of 'Forever Mine', 'You Are
So Beautiful' and 'Make Love Not War', is balanced by more reflective numbers
like 'Redemption Song' and 'Are You Willing'.
ZKing says of his own musical vision: "I see myself moving away from the
standard fare of old school reggae. Instead, I am seeking a 'happier' vibration,
in the form of more pop and dance reggae. On Happiness, listeners get to travel
with me through my varied musical emotions."
Recommended release:
 |
Title: Happiness (Is In Your Heart)
Artist: Zking Of Hearts
Year: 2007
Label: Zking Of Hearts
More info: www.zkingofhearts.com
Where to buy: Amazon | CD
Baby |
Tracks:
01 - Make Love Not War (Reggae)
02 - Sunshine (Pop)
03 - Happiness (Reggae)
04 - You're So Beautiful (Pop)
05 - Forever Mine (Pop)
06 - Redemption (Reggae)
07 - Weedy Wop (Dance Hall)
08 - Come Tonight (Reggae)
09 - Are You Willing? (Reggae)
10 - Bubble Gum (Reggae)
11 - Weedy Wop (Club)
12 - Weedy Wop (Club Dub)
13 - La, La, La (Pop) |
|
Featured Artists 
