Singer Cherine Anderson during her performance at Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest in July. - Claudine Housen/Staff Photographer

ALTHOUGH TWO of her songs are currently burning up local airwaves, singer Cherine Anderson says she is not aware of their impact because she is not a big radio listener.

"I can't tell how popular the songs are because I don't listen to the radio that much," the slightly-built Anderson said last week. "I just judge from the reaction from random people on the streets."

The songs, Good Love and Coming Over, have given the 23-year-old her breakthrough after almost 10 years in the music business.

The veteran team of Sly and Robbie produced Good Love, while Coming Over (done with Chuck Fender) is one of several songs on producer Christopher Birch's 'Ghetto Blues' rhythm.

Good Love is driven by the beat of Love And Devotion which was a hit for singer Jimmy Riley in 1979. Anderson told The Gleaner that the song was recorded in early 2005 and released later in the year.

She says feedback has been strong.

"It charted in South Florida, and on my trips to Florida I've heard it's been on the radio, and there have been a lot of requests for it," she said.

Good Love has got steady rotation on radio while the video is popular on local cable TV.

She said the song has opened new doors for the sound she brands 'dancehall soul.' Since Good Love took off, Anderson has been approached by other producers, including Birch and Steven 'Lenky' Marsden.

Hanging around

Although she first came to prominence as an actress in the 1996 low-budget movie, Dance-hall Queen, Anderson has been hanging around recording studios for some time. Her first release, a cover of Gloria Estefan's Party Time, was released in 1998 by Sly and Robbie.

Anderson was introduced to the famous duo by singer Chevelle Franklyn with whom she shared the same management. She also wrote songs for the Innocent Kru, and the soundtrack to One Love, an urban drama in which she co-starred with Ky-mani Marley.

In 2004, Anderson graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont, United States, where she majored in film and music. She plans to pursue a career in both areas.

Currently, Anderson is working on her debut album which she says will feature productions from Sly and Robbie, Marsden and David Norland, whose credits include working with Madonna and Janet Jackson.

- H.C.