Rhythm twins Sly and Robbie are releasing their own tribute to Japan soon, titled Sly & Robbie with Friends: Let Us Pray - Another Song For Japan.

Speaking with THE WEEKEND STAR recently, Kaz Asonuma from the Sly and Robbie camp said the song involves a large group of musicians with the likes of T.O.K, Cherine Anderson, Belinda Brady, Leba, Pam Hall, Savone, Scantana, UNITZ, KGN 21, Kaz Asonuma, Robbie Lyn, Danny Browne, Rorey Baker, Bulby York and Shane Green together with the Japanese classic strings players.

He said, "Sly and Robbie are putting out a charity song for Japan which has been suffering from the earthquake and tsunami that occurred on March 11th. One hundred per cent of the proceeds will be going towards Japan." Along with local greats, the song, Sly & Robbie with Friends: Let Us Pray - Another Song For Japan, involves the Japanese Classic Strings Players who recorded their part at one of the biggest studios in Japan - the Onkyo House, which provided free studio times for the song. The song, Asonuma says, is in its final stage of mixing and will be made available on itunes soon.

natural disasters

Asonuma added, "Sly and Robbie have been to Japan more than 30 times. They were the most popular, recognised, loved, and supported Jamaican artistes in Japan. They feel it's our time to help them. At the same time, the song is for not only the victims of natural disasters, but also for disaster itself."

On March 11, the magnitude - 8.9 offshore quake unleashed a 23-foot (seven-metre) tsunami which was followed by more than 50 aftershocks for hours, many of them of more than magnitude 6.0 in Japan. Thousands have reportedly been killed, and more missing. Since then, a number of local artistes have been contributing in various ways, through tribute songs and concerts, to aid the stricken country.

-K.H