Gregory Isaacs - file

The musical icon Gregory Isaacs has caused us to Tune In to him in earnest over the past several weeks as we sought to analyse and quantify his contribution to Jamaica's musical industry, and indeed music internationally. Many are the tributes that have been paid to him both locally and overseas; many are the fond memories shared and the tears shed at his passing.

Friends, family members and close associates have described him as an intelligent, loving, caring, jovial and cool individual. They said that one of the uncanny things about him was that he seemed to be in control even when he was going through some very trying periods in his life. Thus, for them the moniker the 'Cool Ruler' speaks as much to his velvety voice as it did to his personality.

He was the kind of artiste who one would be foolish to write off at any period of their career. His energy seemed boundless; his staying power from the mid-sixties onwards was phenomenal as he just kept coming with more hits and more stellar performances.

Granted, he was less animated onstage than say, a Beres Hammond, another lovers rock singer, but his body language, smooth delivery and dapper appearance more than compensate. His love ballads resonated with his audience, especially the females, as he usually had them 'eating out of his hands.' Thus every performance was a guaranteed 'sell-off', according to the popular Jamaican slang.

Musical influence

Where I am concerned, I must say that Gregory has had a profound impact on developing my appreciation of what constitutes good Jamaican music. I can recall that as a youngster, whenever I go to the juke boxes I would look for two songs: Love is Overdue by Gregory Isaacs, and Have a Little Faith by Nicky Thomas.

These songs were the 'must play' in my repertoire at the time. I could keep a dance session with them; nothing else had to be included. The singing, the music, the producing ... just fantastic. I think singers, musicians/arrangers and producers of today are playing catch up where these two songs are concerned.

This early exposure to high class lovers rock music has enabled me to list the following among Gregory Isaacs' greatest hits: Love is Overdue, Night Nurse, Tune In, Number One, Soon Forward and All I Have is Love.

Much has been said and written about Gregory's tonal quality. He had this high pitch unique sounding voice that is often referred to as a falsetto. The uniqueness of his vocal renderings is reminiscent of other Jamaican artistes like Horace Andy, Pat Kelly and Cornell Campbell.

Of course Gregory's fans the world over have their choice of what they would deem their favourite song. However, for me I would say it is the original and still the best ... Love is Overdue. We must not forget that it was the overdue love that gave rise to the Night Nurse!

Gregory Anthony Isaacs, you have played your innings well. Your music and the affable person you were will long continue to live in the hearts of your fans and in the annals of music.

May his soul rest in peace.