CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Dancehall/reggae producer Andrew Blacks is gearing up to release his winter rhythm called the Ebola.

The rhythm has already received co-sign from internationally renowned producer and selector Walshy Fire of Major Lazer and has received favourable attention on Soundcloud.com.

Andrew Blacks produced chart topping singles Nuh Compatible by Bugle and Psycho by Tommy Lee Sparta, the latter added to the playlist for top selling video game Grand Theft Auto. The producer says Ebola is both to create awareness about the Ebola virus and capture the hearts of dancehall music lovers.

"I decided to call the rhythm Ebola because right now that is what is in the news world-wide. I sometimes name my rhythm from things which are going on in the world, and this one of such occasion. The rhythm also has a scary movie sound to it, plus Mavado has a song on it called Sick Like Flu. So it all ties in with the name Ebola," he told THE weekend STAR.

Artistes featured on the rhythm include Black Diamond, Assassin, aka Agent Sasco, Mavado, Tony Matterhorn, I-Octane, Wasp, Tommy Lee Sparta among others. The producer disclosed that version two of the rhythm will be released soon enough.

"Roach was one of my mentors and like him I choose to put a lot of artistes on some of my rhythms because each artiste bring a different sound and it also takes the rhythm to different places. But at the end of the day, you still have to be selective because you can't just expect to put several artistes on a rhythm and it just tek off, it has to be done properly," he said.

Andrew Blacks also worked on reggae artiste Dre Island's new EP and will also release a single for the artiste called Way Up. Another single will be released from his production called Funn simultaneously with the Ebola rhythm, that effort features Charly Black.

"2014 was a good year for me. I was around Robert Livingston for about five months and I learned a lot from him. I have a new studio space for myself with world-class equipment and I can even record live band productions so 2014 was good," he said.

The producer also received two awards at the recently concluded Hapilos awards for the popularity and sales of Psycho and Nuh Compatible.