Jahbar I links with Tarrus Riley on ‘Starz’

On his latest song, Starz, roots singer Jahbar I projects youth empowerment with guest Tarrus Riley.

Released earlier this month, he co-produced it with his father, Melbourne 'Dusty' Miller, for their Guerilla Lion Records.

Starz is recorded on the rhythm of My Guiding Star, a horn-hooked hit for The Heptones at Studio One in 1969. Miller plays drums, while Mitchum 'Khan' Chin, his colleague from The Firehouse Crew, is on bass, piano and guitar. Keyboardist Robbie Lyn, saxophonist Dean Fraser and trumpeter Okeil McIntyre complete the cast of musicians for Starz.

A collaboration with Tarrus Riley is a big deal for Jahbar I, who has known the singer since childhood.

"It's a honour to share the 'firephone' with Tarrus. I have been listening to his music for years. One of my favourite songs of his is Larger Than Life...dat song really bring mi through a lot of things," he said.

Jahbar I hopes Starz becomes a rallying cry for his generation. He reminds his peers that "every youth is a star" and that "we are one of a kind".

Although still in his 20s, the Rastafarian artiste has been around music all his life. Being the house band for producer Philip 'Fatis' Burrell's Xterminator Records, The Firehouse Crew were arguably the most prolific musicians in Jamaica during the 1990s.

Jahbari I remembers sharing space with "Uncle Dean" [Fraser], Luciano, Mikey General, Sizzla and Jesse Jendah, who were part of that camp.

Starz is expected to be a part of his second album, which is scheduled for release this year.