Aah, the ‘80s! Power ballads, big hair, spandex, and MTV. That’s when a teenaged Paul Kastick got into rock music and he has been hooked ever since. The drummer/singer revisits that era on My Reggae Rockin’ Journey Volume 1 , putting a reggae spin on some of the decade’s biggest anthems.
Released last week, it contains songs such as Hear I Go Again , originally done by Whitesnake; Every Rose Has its Thorn , first recorded by Poison; and One , a U2 original. Another track from the album, Night by Night , was released last year. It is a Steely Dan original.
“Exhilerating! It feels like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders getting this out, because most of these songs I listened to from I was in high school,” Kastick told the Jamaica Observer . He said My Reggae Rockin’ Journey Volume 1 has been in the works since 2017. Kastick credits bassist Taddy P, his former bandmate in Maxi Priest’s band, for encouraging him to complete the project after several production breaks.
Initially, he thought of recruiting popular singers like Richie Stephens and Tarrus Riley to sing some of the songs, but when that fell through Taddy P advised him to take on the role of lead singer. While he enjoyed doing vocals, Kastick said his drummer’s instinct was critical to the finished product. “I’m a drummer, so I wanted it to sound special, and there were weeks and months and years of trying to get a vibe,” he explained.
The Montego Bay-born musician produced most of the 15 son.