Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

Stephens

Singer Richie Stephens is known for his snappy outfits, a number of those on show at the 2008 edition of his 'Take Me Away' concert in April. There was, however, one outfit that was not so much designed to impress with cut and colour, the black, green and gold already expressing his heart.

Negativity

Chances are, then, that when Stephens left for the United States last Wednesday morning he packed his Jamaica suit. Maybe it is the one he wears on the cover of his latest album, Come to Jamaica.

"As a concerned Jamaican each time I talk to people, especially abroad, there is this negativity that they have been absorbing about Jamaica," Stephens said.

He will have a chance to dispel some of that negativity, performing at the high-profile Independence Ball in Manhattan, a Caribbean festival in Philadelphia, and Caribbean Day in the Shea Stadium in the New York Mets final day at the famed baseball ground. In the mix is also a United States launch of Come to Jamaica at the Club Sutra, Manhattan.

Stephens explained that he had been doing the 'Islands in the Park' series, including performances in Florida, Washington, DC, New Jersey and New York.

While the Come to Jamaica album is new, putting his patriotism into song isn't. Stephens said that "about eight years ago I did a song called Jamaica Land We Love. About two years after that that I did Come to Jamaica (the title song of the album). It was a song I had put down in my studio for several years".

Doing wonderful things

The song was used in the Cricket World Cup promotion, complete with a video, and after the bats and balls were put down Stephens met with Tourism Minister Ed Bartlett. "We managed to put together some things beneficial to us and we are doing some wonderful things in the world," Stephens said.

An interview with 'Island Stylee' led to a guest speaker slot at the in-flight magazine's 10th anniversary awards function and Air Jamaica's involvement.

In addition to the title song, a live version of the National Anthem (sung just after Usain Bolt broke the 100m world record), Circle Jamaica, Jamaican Sunshine, Negril and Caribbean People are on the 15-song CD.

"I would like to start a trend, that I am promoting all that is positive about Jamaica in my music. I know there are positives, but they are not being sung about," Stephens said.

"Terrible things are happening, but wonderful things are happening."