Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown teams with Kateri Farrell on Take My Time

Jamaican Grammy winner Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown — a producer and keyboard player known for his work on Damian Marley’s Stony Hill and Morgan Heritage’s Strictly Roots — has partnered with American vocalist and flautist Kateri Farrell.

Their joint single, Take My Time, came out on July 3 through Riff Raff/Dubshot Records. The track is framed as a calm prompt to ease up, trust how things unfold, and keep a steady pace. It begins with Farrell’s flute before her vocals arrive, and it also speaks to the urge to hurry choices, chase feelings, and push results ahead of schedule.

Brown said he first asked Farrell to add flute to productions he had done for other artistes, then discovered she could sing. “So we decided to make a few songs,” said Riff Raff. “It was pretty easy working with Kateri. Despite not having a ton of releases, her being a trained and skilled musician makes things a bit smoother in terms of translation of ideas.”

Farrell was equally warm about the partnership, describing it as “an incredibly rewarding experience”. “His unique insight and keen attention to detail made the process very easy and exciting. We work well together.” said Kateri.

She noted that the material took shape while she was going through a major life shift. “I’ve always been someone who needs to take my time when making decisions, so this song, and chorus especially, has become an anthem for me as I come to a place of peace and acceptance with this. I hope this song serves as a reminder to others to trust the journey, give yourself grace, and embrace the freedom to move through life at your own pace,” said Kateri, who has performed on tour as both a singer and flautist.

The Minneapolis-raised musician said this is her first project with a Jamaican producer. Bob Marley’s music first drew her into reggae. “I’ve always been pulled to groove-based, soulful rhythms from genres like motown, jazz, funk and soul, and became fully immersed in reggae when I joined Stephen Marley’s band. I fell in love with the soulful phrasings and passion of reggae vocals, so writing over reggae riddims feels very natural for me.”