Producer holds firm on ‘Solid Ground’ - No plans to retract Spice-Pastor Blake collaboration

Producer Michael 'Askell' Fairman is not discouraged by the backlash that his latest release, Solid Ground, has received.

If anything, he is using it as motivation to promote the track, which is a collaboration between Pastor Stephen Blake and Spice, and he is urging both artistes to call a truce.

"First of all, it's a great production. Second, it is a positive song. Why would anyone want to pull a positive song? If it was a raunchy song, then I could understand; but then again, a raunchy song would not see Pastor Blake on it," Askell told THE STAR.

He shared that Vision House Records, his label, has been working on the collaboration for a couple of years and on its completion, everyone involved was made aware of its release.

"It wasn't a demo. This was a completed project," he said. "I have no plans to retract the collab. It can do great things if it gets the combined efforts of the artistes working together."

He said that he was satisfied with the way the single turned out and thought it was time for its release. Though visually impaired, Askell has his sights set on Solid Ground being the next dancehall-gospel hit. In the music industry for the better part of two decades as a songwriter, rhythm composer, musician and producer, Askell has worked with artistes like Sizzla, D-Major, Busy Signal, Vybz Kartel, Buju Banton, Agent Sasco and Gyptian.

"The recording artiste and musician side of me is also on this production, as I did the harmony and background vocals. I am content with the way it turned out," he said, adding that the only thing missing is the support from Spice.

"I am not sure why exactly she would want to pull the song, whether it be because she has another song promoting or is fearful of the feedback ... . What I will say is Spice needs to just promote the song, nothing bad can come from it," he said.

Askell has also produced for Blake, who has been fan-proclaimed as the 'Dancehall Pastor'. He leads the ministry at the Acts of the Holy Spirit Ministries International and has a growing catalogue of dancehall-gospel music. One of the previous Vision House-productions is Praise The Saviour.

Askell is currently preparing to release a reggae, one-drop juggling titled the 'Soak In Love' rhythm that features the likes of Wayne Marshall, Capleton and Turbulence.

"I know I am capable of hits. We'll see how well Solid Ground does. Despite negative comments, there have been twice as many positive [ones]. I continue to promote it and focus on the work ahead," Askell said.