Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

BiJean Gayle ... plans to release debut CD later this year.

AT 23 years old, singer BiJean Gayle is already a music industry veteran, familiar with the pitfalls of the business. After some frustrating years, the dreadlocked singer is on the verge of a breakthrough.

Spiritual Poverty is the song that has done the trick for BiJean. Produced by Clive Hunt, it has been enjoying steady rotation on mainstream radio.

It was co-written by BiJean and Bobby Treasure, a producer who has worked with singer Freddie McGregor, among others. The burly BiJean recalls performing the song during an impromptu jam session at Emancipation Park in St. Andrew.

"The vibes was so good that people who were there came around and just joined in ... I guess there is just something about the message," he said.

Spiritual Poverty is one of three songs on a mini-album produced by the respected Hunt, whose impressive dossier includes a diverse batch of acts, from Peter Tosh to African singer Alpha Blondy and current roots sensation, Richie Spice.

BiJean said Hunt stayed true to his live roots for the project.

"We wanted to keep things rootsy with a live feel, but it's still contemporary because it has some dancehall and lovers' rock," he said. "We touched every base."

The ballad, This Love, and 86 Mark Lane, a shout-out to BiJean's old west Kingston neighbourhood, are the other songs on the CD.

BiJean said he first met Hunt at a Freddie McGregor album launch. The producer listened to a rough cut of his songs and liked them enough to initiate a collaboration.

This Love was originally being produced by Home T's Mikey Bennett but has been given a different flavour by Hunt, one of several high-profile persons with whom BiJean has worked since entering the music business almost 10 years ago.

He was a member of the quartet, H.U.S.H., which was formed at St. George's College, their alma mater. Although the group worked with producers Philip Linton, Dean Fraser and Richard 'Shams' Browne, they never had a hit song, and BiJean went solo two years ago.

So far, his link with Hunt has paid dividends. Last Friday, he performed at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, and they are currently putting the finishing touches on his debut CD which is scheduled to be released this year.