URIM7 releases EP in February
THE URIM7 Band will release its first EP in February, according to its manager, Vivian Martin. He said Calling, lead song from the six-track piece, is already available digitally.
Another song, Something About You, is also accessible through that medium.
URIM7, which includes six musicians and four singers, was formed in 2013. Most of its members are graduates of Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.
That year, they released The Assignment, their first album which also featured established musicians such as guitarist Earl “Chinna” Smith, saxophonist Dean Fraser and drummer Willie Stewart.
Martin produced The Assignment and pending EP. He told the Jamaica Observer Splash that even though the band has strong gospel and jazz roots, they do not restrict themselves to any genre.
“The whole idea is to do live music. We are serious musicians and people who have seen us will tell you that,” he said.
URIM7 has gone through personnel changes, with some original members now playing with Chronixx, Sean Paul and Romain Virgo. The current line-up is: Geneva Ayre, Ashley Brown, Andreiko Robinson and Errolise Davidson (singers); Kerron Stephen, (keyboards) Kawain Williamson, (bass), Almondo Douglas (guitar), Ottmar Campbell (keyboards), Kemoy Outar, (percussion) and Glendon Clarke (drums).
At times, the band is complemented by former members on stage.
Last year was fairly busy for the band. In addition to recording new material, they performed in Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and Florida; they also appeared on Capleton’s A St Mary Mi Come From Come to Town, Fun Fest and the Black Stallion Traffic Light Concert.
— Howard Campbell