Renowned Jamaican reggae producer Collin “Bulby” York on Friday released his third album, “Heartcrafted,” on his Bulby York Music label.
The compilation — which features industry icons, such as Jimmy Cliff, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Sanchez, Dean Fraser, Tanto Metro & Devonte, Capleton, Beenie Man and Bounty Killer — is balanced with a few youthful stalwarts, such as Busy Signal, Agent Sasco, Etana, Tifa, Konshens, Cecile, Stylo and Rygin King.
“Heartcrafted,” which can be described as a time capsule for future generations, captures not just the traditional sounds of reggae and dancehall but also gives its audience previously released materials with some of the industry’s most prolific and successful artist to date, bridging old school voices with a few from the freshman class.
The 17-track compilation, which takes one on a musical journey across the breadth and depth of Jamaica’s luscious landscape — captures the sounds and melodies that echo through the mountains and valleys chanted by its people, the pulse of a nation.
York, who is a renowned musical architect, as the genre went mainstream in the early 2000s, worked with some of the industry’s rising stars, which positioned him to engineering tracks for No Doubt’s double-platinum Rocksteady album, as well as Sean Paul’s era-defining dancehall classic, “Dutty Rock.”
As time progressed, York’s talent was revered by many, leading other top Jamaican producers, such as like Winston Riley, Steely and Clevie, and Sly and Robbie, to take notice, enlisting him to engineer other productions.
Consequentially, York began working with / for international artists, such as Chaka Khan, Cyndi Lauper and Sinead O’Connor, and is credited with several other noteworthy projects, such as Bounty Killer’s “Suspense” and Beenie Man’s “Memories.”
These influenced Grammy-award winning rapper and producer Kanye West’s single, “I’m In It,” from his 2013’s critically-acclaimed Yeezus album.
In 2016, York released his debut project, “Epic & Ting” on Greensleeves Record.
Two years later he followed up with “Master Blaster,” to rave reviews, on his Bulby York Music label.
“Heartcrafted,” which is distributed by VPAL music, a subsidiary of VP Records, can be considered as a testament to the legacy of the late reggae icon “Toots” Hibbert and other reggae-dancehall industry icons.
“I have poured my heart and soul into this project; and, now, it’s here for the world to hear, see and enjoy,” York told Caribbean Life. “Each track has its own meaning and history, just as how each parish in Jamaica captures a piece of what Jamaica represents.
“I have worked with some of our nation’s best, national treasures, and this project captures not just our musical history but who we are,” he added.
“Heartcrafted” is available on all musical platforms globally.
