Lieutenant Stitchie To Release New Album “Soon”
Dancehall legend Lieutenant Stitchie is working on his 23rd album, and from all indications stringed instruments used in orchestras, such as cellos and violins will a big feature on the veteran gospel deejay’s production.
The 55-year-old artist, who pioneered the Gospel Reggae/Dancehall movement, has also enlisted the likes of singer and Grammy-nominated musician, Benjy Myaz to serve as composer, arranger and producer, on the album.
Myaz, who hails from Montego Bay, has an extensive track record in production and arrangement, and was among the experts who worked with the late producer Bobby Digital on Sizzla’s album, The Real Thing, and Capleton’s Reign of Fire and has written, arranged and collaborated with top Reggae artistes including Third World.
Stitchie’s new album, follows on the heels of his Masterclass album, which was co-produced by Gramps Morgan of Morgan Heritage.
On Wednesday, the G.C. Foster College of Sports and Physical Education graduate posted a video clip of himself in studio with a band of musicians going through their paces.
“Musicians in studio working on New Album Strings: Jon Williams- Violin
Jovani Williams – Viola, Emily Ruth – Cello. Lt. Stitchie & Benjy Myaz – Productions & Tawjna Williams our female professional Recording Engineer. Album Coming Soon!” the Wear yuh Size artiste wrote.
On Thursday morning he again showed what was happening in studio, with a video of Benjy and himself having discussions on the arrangement of the music, whilst guiding the musicians.
“Maestro Benjy Myaz in his element as we arrange track for upcoming Album!” he noted.
In October 2019, Stitchie had released his 22nd album titled Masterclass, and described it to The Star tabloid as his “best work ever”, representing the high level at which he demonstrates his skills and passion for Reggae and Dancehall music.
That album was comprised of 17 tracks and featured collaborations with Agent Sasco, Lukie D, Ricky Stereo, Million Stylez and Fantan Mojah.
He contended that as a teacher of biology and physical education, even though he was no longer in the formal school setting, the world had become his classroom to, among other things, enhance the lives of others by sharing a message of love, peace, and righteousness.
The self-titled Governor, has had an illustrious Dancehall career, recording his first album Wear Yuh Size for King Jammys in 1987, which was also named Great Ambition by the producer, for the overseas market.
He was signed to Atlantic Records, and during his time there, recorded a total of three albums, namely The Governor in 1989, Wild Jamaican Romances in 1991 and Rude Boy in 1993, all of which copped the Album Of The Year award in Jamaica. At the time he was also was featured on LL Cool J’s 1993 Gold Album 14 Shots to the Dome on a track titled Straight From Queens.
Stitchie, whose given name is Cleve Laing, recorded Bun It Down for producer Patrick Roberts of Shocking Vibes in 1993, after leaving Atlantic. The single which topped the local music charts and was later followed by a slew of number one songs. In one calendar year Stitchie even ended up with 14 number one songs.
One of Stitchie’s greatest moments in Dancehall was in Montego Bay at Reggae Sumfest 1997 when he, following a car crash which occurred en route to the festival, still showed up at the venue with a bandage over one of his eyes, and put on an electrifying performance which earned him seven encores. He was dubbed the best performer of the night and the best performer of the festival.
The Tivoli Gardens High School old boy was also the first Dancehall artiste to be a brand ambassador. He became the face of Red Stripe Beer’s You’re Right campaign in 1987, the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Anti-harassment campaign in 1988 as well as Cremo’s Buckingham Orange Juice campaign that same year.
Stitchie’s discography is very extensive, but his most memorable track is the hit Wear Yuh Size, about a love interest who forced her feet into a tiny pair of shoes and ended up embarrassing herself.
Some of his other hits include Romance, Natty Dread, Hot Like the Sun, Broad Hips, and Woman Fe Get Lyrics.
He has worked with a wide range of Jamaica’s best producers including Bobby Digital, Danny Browne, Donovan Germaine, Sly and Robbie, and Steelie and Cleevie.
After the 1997 car crash, Stitchie became a Christian shortly afterward and moved away from secular Dancehall, and started the gospel reggae movement.
His first Gospel Reggae album was titled To God Be the Glory which was released in 1999. In 2002, he won the ‘Outstanding Male Reggae Vocal Performance of the Year’ award at Caribbean Gospel Music Marlin Awards.
In 2012, he was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Cornerstone Christian University in Orlando, Florida, in recognition of his contribution to Gospel Reggae. Stitchie published his autobiography, The Power of Determination in 2014 and was subsequently inducted into the Gospel Hall Of Fame in January 2016, in Kingston.