Beres Hammond Then now

THE STAR has been the leading entertainment newspaper for 59 years and so we have built up an impressive collection of photographs of some of our favourite entertainers.

You name them, we have them. So, in our latest feature, we will be digging deep into our archives to show you some of the oldest pictures of these artistes. After showcasing pictures of entertainers such as Sizzla Kalonji, ZJ Liquid and Lady Saw, this week we feature Beres Hammond.

Known for his soulful voice and his romantic lovers' rock songs, Beres Hammond is a crowd pleaser that can draw audiences from all demographics.

first recording

Hammond began participating in local talent contests from 1972 to 1973, which led to his first recording of Ellis' Wanderer. In 1975, he joined the band, Zap Pow, as lead singer, leading to the hit 1978 single, The System, under the Aquarius Records label.

However, he simultaneously sought a solo career, releasing his debut album, Soul Reggae, in 1976. His solo ballads One Step Ahead and Joe Gibbs-produced I'm in Love gave him two early local hits. He left Zap Pow in 1979 to pursue his solo career, and recorded two more albums Let's Make A Song in 1980 and Red Light in 1981.

Hammond formed his own record label, Harmony Records, in 1985 for the release of his 'Make a Song' album, which had two Jamaican chart-toppers: Groovy Little Thing and What One Dance Can Do. He scored another hit in 1986 with Settling Down. Soon more hits followed for the crooner including Putting Up A Resistance and Tempted to Touch with producer Donovan Germain which is perhaps his best known song in the United States and United Kingdom. More albums continued throughout for Hammond including the 2008, A Moment in Time, on VP Records, which featured the single I Feel Good.

Beres Hammond Then