Mr G proud of ‘I Shall Be Released’ collabs

When Mr G decided to revisit the ‘I Shall Be Released’ rhythm, he knew he was working with a piece of Jamaican music history that is nearly six decades old.

The Heptones recorded the original rocksteady-reggae adaptation in 1969, with production by Coxsone Dodd of Studio One. Based on a song written by American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan in 1967, it remains one of Mr G’s personal favourites. Fellow artiste Buccaneer had suggested the project after their successful ‘Helicopter’ rhythm collaboration last year. Although the two eventually worked together on a different rhythm, Mr G did not abandon I Shall Be Released.

Released in September through his Young Blood label, the producer’s new juggling brings together veteran and contemporary reggae and dancehall artistes, including Romain Virgo, Pinchers, Little John, Christopher Martin, Jesse Royal, Mr G, Richie Spice, Renigad, Eminoxx, Phalcon and Tarrus Riley. Riley joined the project two weeks after its official release but his song Red Flag has since surged.

For Mr G, whose given name is Chad Simpson, some of the collaborations came together through ideas that emerged in the studio, while others began with a feeling that a particular artiste would be right for a song.

On If You Were Mine, featuring Jesse Royal and Chris Martin, the idea came from Royal, who saw an opportunity to strengthen the song with another voice.

“Jesse Royal found the first part of the chorus, and he turned to me and said, ‘G, yuh know what would make this blow through the roof? If I did it in combination with Chris Martin,’” Mr G said.

Mr G called Martin and played him the song over the phone. The singer liked it immediately and arrived at the studio about 15 minutes later.

“A two artistes who rate and respect dem one another, so the vibe was just wicked, wicked, wicked in the studio, and the song just came together nicely,” Mr G recalled.

The story behind Free Up Di Youths Dem, his collaboration with Richie Spice, began with a different instinct. Mr G had already written the chorus and planned to record the song alone, but as he worked on it, he began hearing Richie Spice’s voice in his head. Having recently completed a full album with the singer, he approached him with the idea of a combination. Richie Spice was enthusiastic about the opportunity and quickly got to work after hearing what the producer had in mind.

“I mek him hear the punchline, and him listen to it two or three times, went into the studio, and knock it out like him did know it one million years ago,” Mr G explained.

The session also benefited from the lyrical input of veteran artiste Pinchers.

“He was very excited to hear what I was coming with, and the whole good vibes and good energy mek the song float off really nice. I definitely had some help in the verses from Pinchers because, yuh know, Pinchers is a great pen man,” Mr G added.

With the juggling now released, the producer is looking to extend its reach through music videos. Two have been released, with two more on the way.