Released in August on his Captain Fyah Records, ‘Infinity’ is produced by Feda Rowland, an Argentinian based in Buenos Aires. It contains nine songs including the anti-establishment ‘Meh Neva’, and ‘Give Me The Rizzla’, a salute to the good weed.
Speaking with reggae-vibes.com one week before the Recording Academy announced the nominees for the 68th Grammy Awards, Ras Mista Fyah said he felt overwhelmed to be in the reckoning alongside veterans like The Meditations and Israel Vibration, and dancehall kingpin Vybz Kartel.
“That is an important moment in my career. Just to be considered for a Grammy nomination is an important part in my life and RMF (Ras Mista Fyah) reggae music! It took years of hard work and dedication and I am grateful with the love and support of all the people,” said the Miami-based artiste.
Unlike many of his contemporaries from Latin America who are into Jamaican culture, the Bogota-born Ras Mista Fyah prefers roots-reggae to reggaeton and dancehall which have been the rage in that region for over a decade.
His tastes range from rock steady king Alton Ellis to roots legends Bob Marley, Dennis Brown and Black Uhuru and new wave lovers rock singers such as Bitty McLean. To help promote ‘Infinity’, Ras Mista Fyah did several shows in the United States with Mykal Rose, former lead singer of Black Uhuru.
Several experienced musicians played on ‘Infinity’ including keyboardist Bernard “Touter” Harvey of Inner Circle, whose impressive credits include playing on classic albums such as ‘Natty Dread’ by Marley and Burning Spear’s ‘Marcus Garvey’.
Bassist Frank Burt, who has worked with Garnet Silk, Buju Banton and Ky-many Marley; and drummer Dave Simmons of KC and The Sunshine Band, also played on the album.
“The direction was to try and make this original sound, the most authentic and original reggae, respecting the roots and culture but bringing a new musical breath for reggae music,” said Ras Mista Fyah.
That approach has paid off, with ‘Meh Nevah’, ‘Give Me The Rizzla’ and ‘Cali Koli Collie’ enjoying strong rotation on reggae radio. ‘Infinity’ also entered the Top #5 of the Apple Music and iTunes reggae charts.
Ras Mista Fyah credits the positive vibes of roots-reggae for helping overcome the loss of his left arm in 2015. That resilience plays out on ‘Infinity’
“With Jah, all things are possible…without Jah, it is Impossible!” he exclaimed.
(Photo contributed)