News : Robert Ffrench returns to singing
Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 3:15 pm
As a reggae artiste and producer **Robert Ffrench** has explored every aspect of the music, from businessman to writing songs, producing, and getting behind the microphone as a singer. Ffrench boasts an extensive catalogue as a producer. He was the man behind Buju Banton's The Ruler, Courtney Melody's Modern Girl, Beres Hammond's Over You, Sizzla's Be Strong, Luciano's Moving Out of Babylon, Jah Cure's Girlfriend and rapper Heavy D's More Love, among several others.
However, many persons are not aware that he also sings. Robert Ffrench's musical catalogue boasts On The Dance Floor, which was written by Beres Hammond and Ruff and Tuff, among others.
At 17, Ffrench had already set his sight on a career in music, despite the resistance he faced from members of his family. With the help of Karl Wilson he recorded his first single, Car Girl, in 1979. Soon after, he was producing some of reggae's biggest hits and touring Europe, parts of Asia, the United States and the Caribbean.
Ffrench went on to work with top reggae and hip-hop artistes, both on the stage and in the studio. He is known for putting together stellar compilation albums of old favourites and new hits, including Yesterday & Today, which includes Bun & Cheese. He was also the driving force behind the Platinum Reggae album series.
Robert Ffrench was a well-recognised producer. His songs were getting airplay and with this success under his belt he was able to 'drop' several albums. Then, without warning he seemed to have disappeared from the musical scene.
The Sunday Gleaner caught up with the multi-talented Robert Ffrench at the shooting of a Pat Kelly video and an on-the-spot interview revealed that he didn't disappear, but withdrew himself somewhat.
*Sunday Gleaner: Where has Robert Ffrench been?*
Robert Ffrench: Here doing music. I stopped singing for a while and focused more on producing and recording. The last time I released a single was over one and a half years ago.
*Why did you opt to take a break from recording?*
At one time it was just shows behind shows and that pushed me to take a break. I was still involved in the music, but was focusing more on producing.
*How did you get introduced to the music?*
I used to live in a tenement yard where most of the greats would hang out. There was Desmond Dekker and the Aces, Freddie McKay, Monty Morris and several others. I used to see them on the television and yearned to be like them. At the time, I was also working with my cousin Pat Kelly, who ignited my interest in the business.
*Was it difficult for you to get the attention of the masses when you started out?*
It was, because at that time you had singers like Tristan Palmer, Barrington Levy, Sugar Minnott and some other top names. So for me to fit in I had to come good and be in that league. I had to be going from dancehall to dancehall to listen what people love. I travelled with several sound systems at the time, like Metro Media, Killamanjaro, Gemini and some others.
*Why did your family oppose your career choice?*
I was attending Kingston College and at the time they wanted me to finish school, but I saw music as a career choice. At the same time my mother was not pleased because I did not turn a doctor or work in a bank. In the end she actually respected my choice because she saw the impact I had.
*How do you compare the challenges faced now by those faced by artistes in the '70s to the early '90s?*
The challenges the artistes face now we faced them then. I have to give thanks because I had my cousin Dennis Howard who worked at JBC (Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation) at the time. He actually gave me a 'foot' in the business.
*What is Robert Ffrench up to these days?*
I am currently working on an album for Smith Mansion, Ffrench Production. It is strictly a cultural and lover's rock mix. I think I have a growing audience. Cultural and lover's rock music grows; it can never diminish. I have a single out now called Jah is Good and my album will be out in January of next year. I am not really doing any production now. I want all the focus to be on me and my career as a singer.
*Do you think that you are still able to penetrate today's music market?*
I think that it is more interesting now. It is definitely more competitive because a lot of persons are coming into the business. I am glad for the new faces though, because it takes the business up a notch. Now you just have to work harder to get your name and your image out there.
*When was your last performance in Jamaica?*
My last performance here was in 2003 at MX3 Lawn, Negril. When I don't have any current tunes I don't like doing shows. Promoters are asking me to do shows now, which I will do.
*As someone who has worked with some of reggae's greats, do you consider anyone to be your mentor?*
Beres Hammond definitely. All the others are just my friends who I have worked with on several projects.
*What is your take on the type of music being produced now?*
I love about 80 per cent of the music being put out now. I especially love the lover's rock and dancehall songs that teach the youths positive things. You do have some good in the dancehall.
*Do you ever think that you have reached your pinnacle in the music and there is nothing much left in it for you?*
I haven't reached my pinnacle yet. When I win more than one Grammy, which I know I will win soon, then I can say that I am approaching my pinnacle.
Kandré McDonald
*source : [jamaica-gleaner.com](http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)*
However, many persons are not aware that he also sings. Robert Ffrench's musical catalogue boasts On The Dance Floor, which was written by Beres Hammond and Ruff and Tuff, among others.
At 17, Ffrench had already set his sight on a career in music, despite the resistance he faced from members of his family. With the help of Karl Wilson he recorded his first single, Car Girl, in 1979. Soon after, he was producing some of reggae's biggest hits and touring Europe, parts of Asia, the United States and the Caribbean.
Ffrench went on to work with top reggae and hip-hop artistes, both on the stage and in the studio. He is known for putting together stellar compilation albums of old favourites and new hits, including Yesterday & Today, which includes Bun & Cheese. He was also the driving force behind the Platinum Reggae album series.
Robert Ffrench was a well-recognised producer. His songs were getting airplay and with this success under his belt he was able to 'drop' several albums. Then, without warning he seemed to have disappeared from the musical scene.
The Sunday Gleaner caught up with the multi-talented Robert Ffrench at the shooting of a Pat Kelly video and an on-the-spot interview revealed that he didn't disappear, but withdrew himself somewhat.
*Sunday Gleaner: Where has Robert Ffrench been?*
Robert Ffrench: Here doing music. I stopped singing for a while and focused more on producing and recording. The last time I released a single was over one and a half years ago.
*Why did you opt to take a break from recording?*
At one time it was just shows behind shows and that pushed me to take a break. I was still involved in the music, but was focusing more on producing.
*How did you get introduced to the music?*
I used to live in a tenement yard where most of the greats would hang out. There was Desmond Dekker and the Aces, Freddie McKay, Monty Morris and several others. I used to see them on the television and yearned to be like them. At the time, I was also working with my cousin Pat Kelly, who ignited my interest in the business.
*Was it difficult for you to get the attention of the masses when you started out?*
It was, because at that time you had singers like Tristan Palmer, Barrington Levy, Sugar Minnott and some other top names. So for me to fit in I had to come good and be in that league. I had to be going from dancehall to dancehall to listen what people love. I travelled with several sound systems at the time, like Metro Media, Killamanjaro, Gemini and some others.
*Why did your family oppose your career choice?*
I was attending Kingston College and at the time they wanted me to finish school, but I saw music as a career choice. At the same time my mother was not pleased because I did not turn a doctor or work in a bank. In the end she actually respected my choice because she saw the impact I had.
*How do you compare the challenges faced now by those faced by artistes in the '70s to the early '90s?*
The challenges the artistes face now we faced them then. I have to give thanks because I had my cousin Dennis Howard who worked at JBC (Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation) at the time. He actually gave me a 'foot' in the business.
*What is Robert Ffrench up to these days?*
I am currently working on an album for Smith Mansion, Ffrench Production. It is strictly a cultural and lover's rock mix. I think I have a growing audience. Cultural and lover's rock music grows; it can never diminish. I have a single out now called Jah is Good and my album will be out in January of next year. I am not really doing any production now. I want all the focus to be on me and my career as a singer.
*Do you think that you are still able to penetrate today's music market?*
I think that it is more interesting now. It is definitely more competitive because a lot of persons are coming into the business. I am glad for the new faces though, because it takes the business up a notch. Now you just have to work harder to get your name and your image out there.
*When was your last performance in Jamaica?*
My last performance here was in 2003 at MX3 Lawn, Negril. When I don't have any current tunes I don't like doing shows. Promoters are asking me to do shows now, which I will do.
*As someone who has worked with some of reggae's greats, do you consider anyone to be your mentor?*
Beres Hammond definitely. All the others are just my friends who I have worked with on several projects.
*What is your take on the type of music being produced now?*
I love about 80 per cent of the music being put out now. I especially love the lover's rock and dancehall songs that teach the youths positive things. You do have some good in the dancehall.
*Do you ever think that you have reached your pinnacle in the music and there is nothing much left in it for you?*
I haven't reached my pinnacle yet. When I win more than one Grammy, which I know I will win soon, then I can say that I am approaching my pinnacle.
Kandré McDonald
*source : [jamaica-gleaner.com](http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/)*