^LIVE Jack Radics

Jack Radics, a soul-influenced Reggae Singer, released Open Rebuke on Heartbeat Records. The album features help from Sly & Robbie and the Firehouse Crew. ~
John Bush, All Music Guide

"As we try to find solutions, equations don't compete. It's a journey of deception to the moment of truth." (Jack Radics)

Jack Radics, One of the most intriguing vocalists to emerge from the '80s dancehalls. Rarely seen and sometimes rarely heard, Radic’s, a prominent voice arising from Jamaica's Reggae music arena, with mega hits like “This Time I'll Be Sweeter”, “Affairs Of The Heart”, “Josephine” and “Twist And Shout” in collaboration with Supercat, Chaka Demus and Pliers respectively, is the quintessential, passionate crooner with a recording career spanning more than 20 years.

His voice is a jaunty mixture of Isaac Hayes, Peter Tosh, and Barry White, with the pep of Louis Armstrong and soulfulness of Otis Redding, who happens to be one of his greatest musical influences.

For Radics,' singing is [often] easier than breathing'. The 46 year-old who was not at all apprehensive about sharing his age, claiming "numbers are for license plates, interest rates and dates", was born December 31, 1957 - "when the world was having a party, so what other business could I be in?" He has always remembered himself being around music and singing through his early piano lessons and years as a member on various school and church choirs.

Radics soon decided to pursue his passion and ultimate source of contentment in a more meaningful way. This would take him on touring stints with the likes of Freddy McGregor, UB40, Tiger, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Joe Cocker and disco denizen, Blondie, to places like Japan, Australia, New Zealand and various parts of Europe where he has established strong fan bases.

His first studio recording, which became popular, was a cover of Kool and the Gang's hit “Get down on It,” produced and released by the late Valerie Cowan as a 45 single on her UFO label. That was 1980. However, before that, he had begun heating up the sound system circuit with a number of specials, covers, and dubs and even did a stint with a band in the Bahamas.

By 1990, he released a cover of Jerry Butler's “Dream Merchant” which had the distinction of being one of the first tunes played on IRIE-FM, which signed on to the airwaves that same year. Later this single was negotiated on to the 1993 album; “What about me.” Around the same time came the release of the popular dancehall hit, “Set My Heart on Fire.”

However, that year proved even more profound as it was the year of Jack Radics' debut album, “Radical” on Castro Brown's New Name Records. This was followed by releases of the singles “Moving Away”, produced by Bobby Digital and a cover of Stacy Lattisaw's (This Time) “I'll Be Sweeter” which was released on an album of the same title by Penthouse in 1992.

Release of the ever popular “Twist and Shout” recorded with Chaka Demus and Pliers.
Radics Initially established his reputation with “Lover’s Numbers” but, once the scene shifted, he proved equally adept at penning potent cultural material.

“Open Rebuke” is arguably the “apex” of his work, at least on album, and takes its title from the Proverbs verse that open rebuke is better than a secret love. Radics' reading is literal, and thus he eschews relationships altogether, while a number of songs are precisely what the title suggests. Naturally, this includes the title track itself, on which he adamantly declares, "It is my business as your brethren to show you if you're going astray," and he proceeds to do just that. "Live Fast, Die Young" intended, as a word of warning, but so anthemia are the chorus that the young gunslingers inevitably chose to hear it as a glorification of their culture. "Step 'Cross the Border" and "Purify" are lessons in ‘Righteousness’, while other songs are devotional offerings, with David's paean to Solomon's Reign and God's glories brought to musical life on "Psalm 72." Two of the most inspired songs, "Let My People Go" and "Puppet Master at Play," pair Radics with Kulcha Knox and Yami Bolo, respectively. On the former, the singer recounts the children of Israel's enslavement in Egypt, while the DJ's rapid-fire rap moves the song into the present day and personal sphere. "Puppet" is an equally impassioned cry against injustice, but musically moves out of the dancehalls and into a smoky, brooding blues environment, with a rhythm seemingly inspired by "Town without Pity." Although recorded at a number of Jamaican studios, Open Rebuke producer Richard Bell creates a sharply coherent whole. The album boasts phenomenal rhythms from the likes of Sly & Robbie, Mafia & Fluxy, and the Firehouse Crew; Chico Chin, Dean Fraser, and Dave Madden's horns steam up the songs; and Sharon Forrester and Pam Hall are among the sumptuous backing singers.