Ian Sweetness to Release 'Ain't That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One)' Cover

Many artists have done versions of Ain’t That Loving You (For More Reasons Than One), including soul singer Luther Ingram, who co-wrote it, Lou Rawls, Alton Ellis and Dennis Brown.

Veteran Jamaican vocalist Ian Sweetness is the latest to take a crack at the classic ballad. His version, produced by Earl Messam for Wildfire Records, is scheduled for release in mid-November.

“I heard lots of covers but only Dennis Brown and Alton Ellis sing it the best in that time, but I saw that a lot more soul and passion can go into the song, so I did just that,” said Ian Sweetness, who also recorded a duet of ‘Ain’t That Loving You’ with American singer Tia.

Ellis’ rock steady rendition, produced by Duke Reid for Treasure Isle, was released in 1967 and did well in the United Kingdom where it was distributed by Trojan Records. Brown cut the song for producer Joe Gibbs in 1979; his reggae version was a massive seller in Jamaica and reggae markets throughout the UK and United States.

From east Kingston, Ian Sweetness has been recording songs since the 1980s. Ellis and Brown, regarded as reggae’s premier vocalists, are among his biggest influences.

Ain’t That Loving You is one of several songs he has recorded for Messam’s label. Another of those songs, a version of the Christmas standard, Merry Christmas, was released November 5.