Cherine Anderson: Reggae Infiltrator!

With reggae as a genre in a terrible sales slump, both in Jamaica and in America, precious few reggae
artists--especially new artists--are developing large audiences. In America, interest in reggae is fragmented into several audiences:  the small but loyal roots reggae audience that is biggest on the West Coast; the dancehall/ hip hop crossover audience that is finding precious little of value coming out of Jamaica these days and the mainstream audience that embraces Bob Marley and the occasional reggae
crossover hit. So what's an up-and-comingJamaican artist to do?
    One who is finding her way is Cherine Anderson, who is blazing a trail by not sticking to just the well-worn paths to reggae prominence--most of which are not really working these days. Born in Kingston, she first made her mark by appearing in such films as Dancehall Queen in 1997 and One Love. She began recording here and there and scored a #1 hit in Jamaica on "Coming Home Tonight" a duet with Chuck Fenda a few years back. But instead of staying in Jamaica and trying  to succeed in an environment dominated by hyped-up dancehall beats, she relocated to California and began--in conjunction with her manager Patrick  "Shadow" Lindsay, working on developing her career not as a reggae artist per se but as simply a musical artist, branding her niche "dancehall soul."  In other words,
she was smart enough to step out of the "reggae ghetto."  As a result, things started happening for her
as she made connections with various American artists. After touring the U.S. as part of Sly & Robbie's Taxi Gang tour, she connected with Michael Franti, who has been a popular "alternative" artist who has always made reggae part of his rap/rock/reggae mix. She recorded a song "Say Hey(I Love With" with Franti and his band Spearhead that in the last  year became a freak radio hit. Meanwhile she scored opening act slots with the likes of John Mayer, Counting Crows and Slightly Stoopid, which put in her
in front non-reggae audiences. But all the while she kept her foot in the Jamaican market. Her song
"Talking If You Talking" has been a genuine Jamaican hit. She's been working the social networking sites
all the while an as a result her profile has been steadily rising. She is not positioned to make a run
in the general American music market.
        So far her only CD is an eight-song mini-album entitled "The Introduction". It includes "Coming
Over Tonight" and "Talk If You Talking" as well as an excellent re-make of Errol Dunkley's "Movie Star"
and a nice little anthem called "Shine On Jamaica."  The production--much of it courtesy of Sly & Robbie--is polished. The album isn't blockbuster but it is quality from start to finish and shows Cherine to be a versatile artist who can sing crossover material, do lovers rock, and deliver contermporary
vocal reggae that Jamaican audiences can accept. It will be interesting to see what her next move is.
She needs a Stateside label to help her capitalize on the groundwork that has been laid. But many a Jamaican artist would do well to study her playbook!

Comments

[Camile Whitehead]

Cherine is a super star in the making. She has all the right things amazing voice, beauty, personality,great stage performer and youth on her side. I've seen her live a few times and she always stands out no matter who is on the stage with her. I quite like her EP but i cant wait until she puts out a full album. She is the next great thing coming out of Jamaica.

[randall grass]

glad you agree...I look forward to seeing Cherine perform one of these days...