All rise for the ZKing of Hearts
All rise for the ZKing of Hearts
Award-winning reggae artist ZKing of Hearts returns with a breathtaking new album, Happiness (Is In Your Heart). The native to the Caribbean island of Anguilla is taking his unique sound to a new place, mixing his beloved reggae with hints of dance and pop.
After two albums of roots-oriented reggae, ZKing has attempted something unorthodox, outside his comfort zone and has emerged triumphant. What's more, he has a brand new video out, to 'Forever Mine', available via EPK.
Happiness was produced by one the hottest, most in-demand producers around. Peter 'Peas' McEvilley's youthful approach was the result of ZKing scouring the world for a suitable producer. 'Peas' turned out to be just the right foil for ZKing's vision of taking reggae to a mass audience.
ZKing, aka Daddy Roots, has musical credentials to be envious of. In November 2006 he won Best Reggae Vocalist at the 16th Los Angeles Music Awards and had his song 'Magar Goat' featured in the 2005 movie Broken Flowers, starring Bill Murray and Sharon Stone. His vocals compositions have also been used on the ABC show Men In Trees and in the Canadian TV movie Fugitive.
He has also found fans and friends around the world, having toured all over America, including several major festivals such as Kalamazoo, Europe, Asia and Africa, where in 2005 he played at Ghana's Emancipation Day celebrations. Of course, he is a star of Anguilla's most famous nightspots, Pumphouse and Johno's.
ZKing's is reggae to his core, but incorporates a diverse range of influences into his interpretation of the genre. These include BB King, Van Morrison and Garnett Silk. And of course, Bob Marley looms large over all his music.
ZKing grew up on Anguilla, and by 17 was working as a beekeeper. Heard singing one day in his home, he was asked by a local musician if he wanted to join a band, and one thing soon led to another.
Of his upbringing he says: "As a kid growing up on a small island, there was music everywhere you turn day and night. Young and old, all have the heart for music."
Before long, he was gigging regularly at clubs and festivals all over his homeland. He has recorded three albums: Two Sides of Love: Chapter One (2001), Love and Honor (2002) and All Here Now (2003).
Now, as he moves in a new musical direction, ZKing is capable of taking the world by storm once more with the blend of his native rhythms with modern, western styles. Happiness is a groovy, sexy, bouncy and cheeky record, yet has moments of sadness and contemplation too. The positivism of 'Forever Mine', 'You Are So Beautiful' and 'Make Love Not War', is balanced by more reflective numbers like 'Redemption Song' and 'Are You Willing'.
ZKing says of his own musical vision: "I see myself moving away from the standard fare of old school reggae. Instead, I am seeking a 'happier' vibration, in the form of more pop and dance reggae. On Happiness, listeners get to travel with me through my varied musical emotions."
Who wants to come too?
www.zkingofhearts.com