Mass production gives birth to creative 'riddims'

BY HOWARD CAMPBELL Entertainment Editor

They make strange bedfellows, reggae and the Catholic mass. But the blend of the former's rhythmic patterns and the latter's haunting chants have made a winner out of an ambitious project by a just as unlikely combination of producers.

 Riddim Of Creation: A Liturgy, is the title of a soon-to-be- released compilation album which was first conceived two years ago by Martin Schade, a Jesuit priest, and which was recorded and produced by musicians Ray Hitchins and Brian Jobson.

 The 11 song set is a peaceful marriage of two starkly different sounds, featuring performers from different genres, all singing in a way that complements the album's serene mood.

 The concept behind the album is another revelation. Schade wanted to mark the celebration of his solemn vows in a musical way two years ago and approached Hitchins and Jobson for their input on a project that would involve several musical forms.

 Much has changed since then, as far as Schade's personal life is concerned. Recently, he stated his intention to abandon a life of celibacy while maintaining his ties to theology and the Jesuit faith he has practised for 21 of his 46 years.

 He has also kept faith with the album he envisioned two years ago. "I wanted to continue with-the whole music thing and Ray Hitchins was the one who said 'let's make it into a CD'," the husky-voiced Schade explained.

 Writing for the album actually started in January of this year, and sees guitarist Hitchins and Jobson - a former member of the group, Native - penning all the tracks, most of which have a surreal feel and a world beat edge.

 "That was our genre, (world beat), we were thinking about what (title) we should give it and we came up with world beat," Schade related. "But it's theology, the rhythm of creation is expressed in theology."

 Over the last four years, Hitchins has tediously been producing quality work at his Riverside Studio in Kingston. In 1996, he released trumpeter Mickey Hanson's soothing For The Love Of It album; then followed in 1998 with singer Della Manley's sensational folk piece, Ashes On The Window Sill. Riddim Of Creation honours Hitchins' 'quality work.

  Among the strongest songs are Original Grace by Brian and Tony Gold; Human Hands which features a typical evangelical delivery from Toots Hibbert; the soulful My Needs Are Simple featuring Sheryl Lee Ralph and deejay Blackout; I Know Now, a peaceful number by Keith Fluitt and Amanda Homi; and Della Manley's If Walls Could Talk. The album's last cut, Go In Peace, stands out. Richie Stephens, whose smoky vocals are usually lost in mediocre dancehall productions, does justice to this attractive ballad which is enhanced by backing vocals from the St Pius X Singers and a choir simply known as The Children.

 "We wanted a diversity, that's what theology is all about; expressing unity through the diversity of creation," said Schade of Riddim Of Creation's eclectic roster. "We moved from doing total reggae to using the music's foundation, but the album is spiritually based."

 Spirituality has played a major role in Martin Schade's life. Born to American parents in Japan, he returned to the United States with his parents when he was nine-years old, and grew up in Cleveland, Ohio.

 Schade, who plays guitar, came to Jamaica in 1982 where he has been teaching theology: With Riddim Of Creation, he gets another chance to impart his religious knowledge.

 "The hope for it is to bring about a spiritual renaissance, but more directly to bring about a unity of religions," he said.