Veteran singer back with new EP

Rocksteady/reggae legend Dennis Walks said his new EP is soothing the souls of music lovers.

Released earlier this year, he said the four-track compilation, titled In My Needs and Wants, aims to inspire all generations.

"I'd like it to feel like a voyage in the past for the older reggae fans who were there since the late '60s , the '70s and the '80s. [But] I hope it will urge and encourage the younger ones to enjoy and research the works of the reggae foundation. There is a treasure trove of beautiful and timeless reggae music out there," he said. Walks, given name Dennis Vassell, said that he felt the need to record under his own label.

"I also wanted to use a live band, not a riddim, and be able to own the composition and the master as well. My producer, Fabrizio Lagana, came in at the perfect time. He had wanted to produce my work for a while. So, I reached out to my bredrens from decades ago: the legends Lloyd Parks and Dean Fraser," he said.

As he aggressively promotes his latest production, Walks said he will also be taking steps to collect outstanding royalties.

"It is a lot of work, but I must do it. It's so unfair for us reggae foundation artistes to not be able to enjoy the fruits of our labour. I will also register some of my work that I created years ago and never got registered. Now that I have my own new record label, Dennis Walks Records, I hope to get artistes on it," he said.

Walks, who is committed to only producing positive and clean lyrics, acknowledged that times have changed.

"I need to keep up with social media, digital platforms, and reaching out to the new generation - teaching them about the roots of reggae music and making sure the old style is kept alive," he said.