Mr Easy

Mr Easy is a man over-flowing with music and melodies that deal with the more harmonious aspects of life and living. He was born in the verdant, undulating hills of the Cockpit Country. The transition at the age of ten, for this country boy, to the cold, gray streets of New York City was not an easy rite of passage. Mr. Easy, who was named for his laid back and easy demeanor faced an awkward transition to New York being Jamaican born, yet of African heritage, something which always seems to create a dilemma of the soul. However, it wasn't long before he settled into this new lifestyle and started helping "Sir Noel" set up his sound system. Easy joined the crew of DJ's and experimented with some of the lyrics that he had been writing since he first went to high school. He soon began performing at places like the Starlight Ballroom and singing songs made popular by Dennis Brown. After an introduction to a record producer, Barry, he hit the studios to record a cover version of the Isley Brother's hit "Caravan Of Love". Mr. Easy played and studied hard in the Big Apple, thereby gaining a wealth of experiences in a relatively short space of time. He cites Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight as well as Erik B and Rakim among his major musical influences. As a youth his dream was to conquer the crowd at New York City's famous Apollo Theatre while nearly every solo singer that ventured onto that stage was booed off. Mr. Easy was more than successful. Easy recounts how Sidney Mills, the keyboard player from Steel Pulse, helped him to write "Just Be A Lady" and how he sang out for all he was worth. The crowd went wild, they didn't boo they clapped and cheered. Easy received congratulations and encouragement from people like Patti LaBelle and Quincy Jones. The result of this early success was a record deal with Motown Records and the release of Mr. Easy's first album. Extensive touring of the United States, Japan and the Caribbean followed with fellow Jamaican artists such as; Beres Hammond, Shinehead, Red Fox and Shaggy. It was while he was working on his never to be released second album for Warner Brothers with Mickey Bennett that he met Dave Kelly and a long-term alliance was formed. At that time there seemed to be a need to win over a homeland audience that is like none other in the world. For a Jamaican, you could have conquered the globe, but if you've never had a major hit in the homeland – you just haven't truly made it. Easy feels that the experiences of performing and recording in New York combined with maintaining a working base in Jamaica has enabled a crystallization of ideas to take place where he can let his creativity shine. Since dedicating himself to years of recording with top producers like Dave Kelly, the melodic quality of Mr. Easy's voice has been in much demand. Songs like; "Mi Haffi Stop" on the Showtime riddim, "Man Ah Say A Who" on the Rae Rae riddim, "Funny Man" on the Joyride riddim, "Freaky Lady" on the Juice Riddim, "Herbs Haffi Bun" on the Intercourse riddim, "After All" on the Thunder riddim, "Haters" on the Orgasm riddim, "Oil Up" on the Triology riddim featuring General Degree all helped to solidify Mr. Easy as one of the top 15 artists to voice. Mr. Easy's smooth flow allowed him to take a new musical direction with songs like; "Up And Down" featuring Sean Paul on the Two Hard label and "Freaky Kind Of Lady" produced by Richard Browne on the 'Call Me Shams' label. As well as "I'll Always Be There", a lovers rock tune on the Rockaway riddim and "Heavenly" produced by Beres Hammond for the Harmony House Label. For a brief period of time Easy focused on Lovers Rock releases that allowed him to expand as an artist and vocally. In order to maintain a positive focus from time to time, Mr. Easy gets out of Kingston City by taking a drive out to 'Peter Tosh' country in Westmoreland where he cools out by the river. He says that many of his songs are written in settings that are calm and natural, as he likes to get away from the noise and brashness that is often associated with city living. He feels that living in Jamaica has enabled him to tap into a revitalizing energy source that will enable him to make that quantum leap into a positive future. Easy states that, "the songs I write will endure forever, even when I am not here." Every generation needs its classics as they form a legacy for future generations. In addition, often times he sits down with long time musical brethren Red Fox (a phenomenal Dancehall deejay) to add an edge to much of his material as the two have co-written a number of songs including the exciting tune "Sweet Love" on the upbeat Juicy rhythm produced by Mr. Doo, responsible for Jr. Reid's huge hit "Riker's Island". When Mr. Easy recorded the song "Drive Me Crazy" with one of Jamaica's super producers; Tony "CD" Kelly on the timeless Buy Out rhythm; the stage was set for another hit! The song has since been a favorite from this fast pace pulsating rhythm and still receives airplay in clubs, on Caribbean based radio shows and in many mixshows segments on US radio. It was featured on VP Records' Strictly The Best Volume 30 and it was the number #32 most requested song on WESU in 2003. That's not it; this song garnished over 4,000 spins at US mixshow radio without any sort of radio support by a record label. Always recording with Tony Kelly keeps Easy on the curve of top-notch releases such as "It's Alright" from the Grindin and "It's Crazy" off the new Katana rhythm. Easy has also recorded a variety of material with top notch producers like; Troyton Rami of Black Shadow Records delivering solid tunes like "Silent Killers" (Surprise rhythm), "Grudge You" (Ching Chong rhythm) and Party Time (Blink rhythm). Richie D, another talented Dancehall producer has provided songs like Easy's "Party" (Tiajuana rhythm). He's also done some recordings with the South Rakkas Crew with "Pull Up" (Red Alert rhythm) and "It's Your Body" (Bionic Ras rhythm) and "Break Of Day" (Chinquiz rhythm). Mr. Easy was sought to re-record a new version of "Drive Me Crazy" with Atlantic Record's Soca recording artist; Kevin Lyttle. This new version secured a place within the movie After The Sunset and is also featured in the soundtrack. The resurgence of this song and three other recordings receiving mainstream radio airplay in the US, resulted in Easy's dual nominations at the 24th Annual Reggae & World Music Awards in the categories of: Most Promising Entertainer and Most Improved Entertainer. Mr. Easy's still recording consistently to deliver catchy songs, often relationship or reality oriented that allow people to quickly grasp hold of and sing along. With a wide assortment of new material just dropping the street such as "Break His Heart" from producer Christopher Birch (Military rhythm), "Bounce That" from accomplished producer Vada Nobles (responsible for contributions to Lauryn Hill's last album), "Falling" by Don Corleon (Seasons rhythm), Bingo from talented duo Steely & Clevie (Capital P rhythm), "Tek Wey Yourself" from the fresh production team/musicians/artists Leftside & Esco, "Dark Clouds" by Bay-C (of the group TOK) and "Spending G's" (Whipe Out rhythm) from Danger Zone productions. 2006 is about striving beyond and Easy is reaching for the highest heights with new videos coming for the songs "Strangest Thing", "Bingo" and "Tek Wey Yourself". Further, Mr. Easy has teamed up with producer Eloy Daron to create their own imprint in Jamaica: E-2 Muzik with their first release being Easy's "Strangest Thing" from the Butterfly rhythm. (Bio courtesy of RudeGal Entertainment) Read more on Last.fm. 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