Powell
Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
HE COMES from Manchester, Jamaica, and found strong musical footing from age 12, playing the guitar in the tradition of his father, a renowned guitarist. His name is Keith Powell Junior, aka 'Rough House', and he was born in 1974.
As his reputation grew, so did his status in the recording industry. At studio sessions, he worked with Ken Boothe, President Brown, Culture Knox, Garnet Silk and others.
It was when Powell went to Germany on a tour at age 24 as a bass player that he got his stage name.
"I'm also a bass player and while on tour in Germany sound checking, someone came and said 'Bwoy, yuh bass sound rough inna di house', and they started calling me Rough House. So it stick ... is good roughness though," Powell said.
VOCALS DEVELOPED
Powell relocated to Germany, and even as his exploits as a bass player amplified, Powell's interest in vocals developed. On his frequent visits to musicians' jam sessions he was repeatedly requested to sing, leading to recordings with German artistes Fantastische 4, Gentleman, Patrice and Max Herre, as well as dates at Summerjam, Chiemsee Reggae Splash, Rock Am Ring and other popular concerts in Europe.
Realising the advantages of forming his own band, Powell formed the 'KP Crew', initially to play for D-Flame, Jamaica Papa Curvin and Zoë. KP Crew later produced a joint album with D-Flame, called Unaufhaltsam. Rough House himself received two awards at the 2005 German Reggae Awards.
"Last year (December) in Germany for the first time they had a German-Reggae Grammy Award and the outcome was published in a magazine called Reggae News Magazine. I was featured in this magazine for the awards I received. I got three Grammy Awards, one for Best Independent Artiste, one for Best Video (from my band 'KP Crew' and Zoë, a female artiste based in Germany, originally from Liberia) and Best Band (KP Crew)," Powell said.
NOTHING X-RATED
Powell was encouraged by his close friends and family to do a solo album, the result being My Intention, which he describes as a combination of different styles of music from various cultures.
"The album consists of roots reggae, dancehall, a mix of rock and dancehall, alternative and other genres ... Nothing X-rated, all real, conscious lyrics. On the album I have used some of the major musicians in Europe, from Germany, Iran, Brazil and Turkey and some Jamaican musicians who live in Germany," Powell said.
HIS INTENTION
"I chose that name because of working with musicians all over the world and it is my intention that musicians all over the world work together just as how we should all be living together," Powell said.
Powell is now in Jamaica doing some groundwork ahead of the release of My Intention, which is due out by this summer. Powell says if he can pass the test of Jamaican standards, he will be well on his way to success.
"Although I'm living in Germany wi focusing on the album and single right now, promoting it out here in Jamaica and when it is pushed here, it will be more effective in places like Europe and other parts of the world. People may not notice it, but all eyes are on Jamaica, because this is where the game is where reggae/dancehall is concerned," Powell said.
Bass player Glen Browne, who also produced Echoes In The Night on the album, will be managing all of Powell's work in Jamaica. My Intention will also be released on the Island Treasure Records/Long Flight Label (Browne's label). The mother label is Island Treasure.
Powell is also getting ready to release a single from the album called System In Flames, "which speaks of the system we are living in and how it could be better and how lifestyles could be changed for the better. We also have a bonus track, Back Together Again, which will be released with the single officially in another two weeks."
