Rich Hardesty first heard Cottage in Negril , Tyrone Taylor's cosy ode to laid-back life in the world-famous resort, on one of his many visits to Jamaica. Recently, the American covered the reggae ballad for Jahmerican , his latest album. Fittingly, the Indiana native launched that 50-song set on June 2 in Negril at Pirates Dock Bar, surrounded by longtime friends and artistes such as Nature Ellis.
"It was important to launch Jahmerican in Jamaica because I was given that nickname by my Jamaican friends in Negril back in the day. There are 50 songs on this project and they all have been influenced by Jamaica ..
. salt, sea, sand, and island of the spices," said Hardesty. Cottage in Negril is one of several classic Jamaican songs he covers on the album.
Others are By The Rivers of Babylon by The Melodians, and Who The Cap Fit by Bob Marley. Most of the songs are originals including Jerk Chicken And Red Stripe , Caribbean Cowboy and Make Love to Reggae . Hardesty first visited Jamaica in 1993 while on spring break and has returned to the country's north coast countless times.
"I consider this my second home and the people of Jamaica are my family. I am fascinated with its culture. When I am in Jamaica, I am the happiest.
I can be the best version of me when I am with the good vibes," he said..
