After taking an hiatus from music, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff is returning with a new EP, due November.
According to reports, the EP will transition into a full length album schedule for early next year.
Tim Armstrong is the producer behind the EP, who is a lifelong admirer of Cliff’s work and a known purveyor of reggae music’s lasting influence and cultural impact.
“Tim has such a great foothold in the tradition. He woke me up to a lot of the things I had forgotten,” Cliff said. “I enjoy the creative spontaneity of collaborating with other people. I always want to try new things. It’s the type of creative energy I have.”
Adding,
“I knew vaguely about Tim through working with Joe Strummer and (I) wanted to bring something fresh to the marketplace. Us coming from such different musical poles brought a great energy to the songs. I wanted to create something with a fresh sound – that’s why we decided to test the waters.”
Armstrong said he has always wanted to work with Jimmy Cliff.
“I’ve always wanted to work with him and we connected immediately, which doesn’t happen all the time. This is Jimmy’s record and I’m honored to be a part of it,” Armstrong added.
Cliff is the only living musician to receive Jamaica’s Order of Merit, the country’s highest honor for achievement in the arts and sciences. In 2007, he was also honored with a doctorate from The University of the West Indies.
Listen to a new track “Guns Of Brixton” from Jimmy Cliff below.
