Music Producer Rorey Baker Releases New Project 'Dedication'

During the Covid-19 shutdown in 2021, music producer Rorey Baker began working on a project at the One Pop recording studio in Kingston, Jamaica. It took him three years to complete, but he is confident it will live up to its name.

Rorey BakerDedication is the title of the 10-song set that was released on January 9 by his One Pop Music company. Nine of the cuts are original, mainly by upcoming artists.

Baker, a protege of Sly and Robbie, said Dedication is different from his previous productions.

“The songwriters and performers didn't really know my direction. Topics were just discussed and they all wrote songs that stayed  true to the emotion behind the music, rather than chasing trends,” he explained.

Veteran singer Singing Melody is best known of the artists on Dedication. He does the only cover, a dancehall take on The Miracles’ Tracks of My Tears. 

The other tracks are by emerging acts. They include Natty Dread by Calibe, Broken Heart (Sabrina Diva), Used to Being Used (Shania), Soar (Tabetha Cshae), Love Games (Sharee Elise), and You Don’t Own Me (Sashi Lamont).

“My vision is always  to create opportunities and showcase new and upcoming talented artists that can stand on the world stage. I believe in building culture, not just consuming it, and in order to invest in the future of Jamaican music, new talents must be given a platform,” said Baker.

One of Jamaica’s leading studio engineers, Baker’s career started in 1996 with Every Kinda People, Chaka Demus and Pliers’ album, which was produced by Sly and Robbie.

He also did engineer duties for Friends, the duo’s album that won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. His productions include the 2020 compilation album, Rorey Baker — Kid’s Reggae (Sing-Along Bible Songs).