A J Brown leans into lovers’ rock on Dancehall Ball single

Jamaican singer A J Brown is turning toward romance on Dancehall Ball, his new single with Upstairs Music, a production outfit based in South Florida.

Brown, whose career has moved through rhythm and blues, roots reggae, gospel and modern reggae, takes on a lovers’ rock mood for the track. The song was both written and produced by Danny Breakenridge.

Brown said the recording connected with him from the first listen. “I listened to the track and lyrics. They felt balanced, like a complete narrative,” he said.

For the feel of Dancehall Ball, Brown said he reached back to reggae’s lovers’ rock period while also taking cues from the singing approach of late reggae great Dennis Brown.

The single brings together several musicians and vocal contributors. Paul Gauntlet handled the rhythm track, Yishka played saxophone, Sons Of Mystro added violins, and Tafina Wilson supplied harmony vocals. Mixing and mastering were done by the Heavybeat Crew.

Dancehall Ball continues Brown’s work with Breakenridge. The two had earlier joined forces on a reggae version of Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World.

Brown, who is originally from Montego Bay, St James, first became known as a lively stage act on Jamaica’s hotel entertainment scene before taking his music overseas, including a hotel residency in Las Vegas.

His catalogue includes When You Love, Love People, and Father and Friend. On Dancehall Ball, Brown again puts his wide vocal ability and musical flexibility at the centre of the recording.