For almost 40 years, Sanchez has been synonymous with songs that helped define lovers’ rock reggae, but he has also done message-oriented tracks like Never Dis Di Man. For his latest album, Jamdown, the singer looks at challenges in Jamaica on the title track.

“I’ve always believed in showing different sides of myself through my music. Ballads allow me to express emotions and connect with people on a personal level, while songs with a message, like Jamdown, let me speak on issues that matter to my community and the world,” said Sanchez. “I think it’s important to have that balance, so listeners can feel both the love and the reality in my music. That’s always been a part of who I am as an artiste.”

Produced by Kenneth Thompson for Kenergi Music, Jamdown is his first album since Love You More in 2011. Being from the tough Kingston community of Whitehall Avenue, Sanchez identifies with Jamdown, which not only looks at Jamaica’s woes, but the country’s scenic beauty and musical attributes.

“I relate to the lyrics of Jamdown deeply just because I am a true product of the place,” he said.

Sanchez, along with fellow Whitehall Avenue artistes Red Dragon, Daddy Lizard and Flourgon, exploded during the 1980s with hit singles for producers like Winston Riley. It was Riley who produced Loneliness — a cover of Jermaine Jackson’s Lonely Won’t Leave Me Alone—which gave him his first chart-topper in 1988.

Born Kevin Jackson, Sanchez was one of dancehall’s elite acts during the 1990s. His hits during that era include I Can’t Wait, Old Friends, Soon As I Get Home and Fall In Love.