Show more love, urges Beres

Numbered among Jamaica's all-time favourite lovers' rock singers, Beres Hammond is urging his fans, and even those who aren't, to show more love.

The singer, who turned 65 last Friday, told THE STAR, "That's why I'm singing love songs. When I sing, I want people to live out the lyrics."

Having been singing for more than three decades, Hammond has a vast catalogue of original songs which have become staples and, for this, he is full of gratitude.

"There seems to be a reservoir of lyrics and songs that never dries up. I don't know where it comes from, and I am not trying to find out. I call it blessings and give thanks. Over the years, I have never ever written down the lyrics of a song. I simply go in the studio and sing. Then, when I listen back to the track a few days later, I say to myself, 'What mi mean when mi seh this?'. And then I figure it out, and it makes a lot of sense," he said.

Much-needed break

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing him to take a much-needed break from touring, Hammond has been spending more time in studio listening back to recordings done years ago, and also being creative. It was during one of these listen-back sessions that he and producer Clive Hunt stumbled upon a song recorded a cappella six years ago, but which is perfect for these times.

Last Friday, to coincide with his birthday, his record label, VP, dropped the single and lyric video. The song is titled Call to Duty.

This track shows a militant Hammond, rather than the lover man, but with even more passion. Described as "a strong statement about life amid a pandemic and a call to a shared vision of what our world can be," Call to Duty is emphatic about the need to fight for the things which are important.

Hammond is accompanied by top-class musicians for this single, which was co-produced by Hunt, a legendary producer and multi-instrumentalist.

Among the greats who comprised the orchestra for Call to Duty are Robbie Lyn, Dean Fraser, Michael Fletcher, Oshane Love and Okiel McIntyre.

"It is important that we heed the call to duty, because it is also a call to love," Hammond told THE STAR.