|
When a series of powerful earthquakes devastated the Haitian capital of Port Au Prince on January 12, 2010, the whole world responded with financial and humanitarian support. But now that the dust has settled and the initial shock has worn off, the painful truth is that Haiti’s problems are greater than ever. To rebuild a city that lies in ruins will require a serious commitment that lasts long after the news cameras pack up and go home. Rebuilding will require both inspiration and dedication. That’s what the song “Count On Me” is all about.
“Count on Me” was recorded by Helping Hands For Haiti Reggae All-Stars and will be released by A-Team Music Corp in conjunction with VP Records. Two different mixes of the uplifting reggae anthem are now available for download on all digital media platforms. All proceeds will be donated to Yele Haiti, Carma Foundation, and other organizations dedicated to helping the citizens of Haiti recover and rebuild their homeland. Helping Hands For Haiti brings together soul-stirring vocals by an all-star line up of 28 Jamaican reggae and dancehall musicians as well as the Grammy-nominated Haitian-American musician and philanthropist Melky Jean, whose Carma Foundation focuses on uplifting the women and children of Haiti.
Helping Hands For Haiti was born spontaneously during a January 12 session at the New York studio of producer Stanley "Rellee" Hayden. He was working with Garfield “Sampalue” Phillips on a song when they noticed the tragedy in Haiti unfolding on CNN. That’s when everything stopped—and inspiration struck. Driven by the power of a positive message—“You can count on me”—the song came pouring out. “We built the rhythm in an instant,” says Sampalue, founder of the respected Diamond Rush label. “Everything was just flowing. We finished the whole thing in less than an hour.”
For Rellee, the President/CEO of A-Team Music Corp, the project took on a special significance. “We had to do something,” he says, “so we did what we do best—we make records.” Rellee, who grew up in Brooklyn’s West Indian community, reached out to his industry colleagues in America and Jamaica and the international project rapidly took shape. “My family isn't Haitian but we all come from the Caribbean, and it touches all of us,” says Rellee. “No matter where you come from, nothing is more precious than human life.” Bringing together three generations of gifted producers working in multiple countries united by their deep passion for a common cause—bolstered by the power of music and some cutting-edge technology.
“Count On Me”
Rellee, who has produced his share of certified-platinum urban hits, and Garfield “Sampalue” Phillips, a veteran dancehall producer who helped to launch Lady Saw’s career have been both friends and colleagues for years, They reached out to a man that Philips calls “the Quincy Jones of Jamaica,” producer extraordinaire Clive Hunt, who has worked at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong studios and collaborated with the crème-de-la-crème of Jamaican musical talent—not to mention some guest work with the Rolling Stones. These three generations of Caribbean music makers joined forces to form Helping Hands For Haiti.
“Reggae music has always been about uplifting suffering people,” says Hunt, who is perhaps most famous for his work with Jimmy Cliff, Steel Pulse and Toots & The Maytals. With that vision in mind, they recruited a powerful collection of reggae icons and rising stars known as the Helping Hands For Haiti Reggae All-Stars. The lineup includes the likes of Luciano, Singing Melody, Lukie D, Richie Stephens, Mykal Rose, Big Youth, Leroy Sibbles, Jimmy Riley, Robert Ffrench, Cherine Anderson, Lady G, Chalice, Bugle, Tifa, KK Alese, Bridgez, New Kingston, Lisa Morrison, Cameal Davis, Master B, Denique, Jhemini, Anthony Que, Khago, Ginja, Prophecy and I-Shanti-I.
“Count On Me” also features guest vocals by Melky Jean, the Grammy-nominated Haitian-American recording artist. Proceeds from downloads of the single will benefit her Carma Foundation, a Haitian relief organization established in 2006. “The mission of Carma is to measurably improve the health of poor and vulnerable women and children in Haiti,” says Jean. “Carma effectively utilizes media and pop culture to create a platform of awareness, dialogue, and then action.” Since the earthquake, Carma has stepped up to assist Haiti’s women and children in particular. As part of that effort, “Count On Me” is one of the single’s from CARE FOR HAITI , an album to benefit the people of Haiti featuring songs by Wyclef Jean & Melky Jean, Sean Paul, KRS One, Patti LaBelle, Brooke Hogan, Talib Kweli, Patti Austin and Angelique Kidjo among others.
Technological Breakthrough
A project like “Count on Me” would not have been possible without the creative contributions of many talented people in different parts of the world. With two producers based in New York and one in Jamaica, the vocalists were spread between Kingston, Miami, London, and New York. Since “Count On Me” is an independent nonprofit effort, there was no budget to fly artists up to Rellee ’s New York studio, or to fly Phillips and Rellee down to Mixing Lab studio in Kingston Jamaica to work with Hunt. So the team forged a digital link, taking advantage of the latest technological advances to break the barriers of space and time—and create a new way for Caribbean musicians to show their support for the Haitian people.
To ensure that “Count on Me” could be recorded remotely and still retain the quality necessary for worldwide distribution and broadcast, Helping Hands For Haiti utilized Skype's VOIP service in conjunction with Blue USB Microphones. This allowed the producers to actually record vocals over the internet by running Skype’s VOIP connected to Blue USB Microphones interfacing with Digidesign’s Protools —all running on an Apple G5 Computer routed through an Avalon (737sp). This innovative use of new technology is the first of its kind, providing Helping Hands for Haiti with a new method of recording remotely and making it feasible for people all over the world to collaborate in this effort to aid the citizens of Haiti an recover from the disaster.
“Skype's Technology is proving that dreams can become a reality,” says Rellee Hayden, who came up with the idea of recording via the internet—not as a gimmick but out of necessity. "Everybody has to play their own part in Helping Hands for Haiti,” adds Rellee. “We as music producers and recording artists can do our part to raise funds and spirits to help with the tragedy that has occurred in Haiti. I have been so blessed to have an opportunity to produce a project that has the potential to help so many people. This project means the world to us.”
“Count On Me” is not just another benefit song, it also represents a pledge to get involved, to be a part of the solution rather than part of the problem. Texting money is great. Giving of yourself is even greater. That’s why the producers and artists involved in “Count On Me” are calling for a worldwide Day of Service on the 12th of every month to commemorate the earthquake of January 12th—the first 12th of the new decade. Visit www.countonmehaiti.com for tips on how to organize your own local relief efforts, or network and plug in to volunteer with others in your area. Let the people of Haiti know that they can count on YOU.
“My Dream Has become a reality, and my reality has at times seem like a dream,” says Stanley "Rellee" Hayden, President/CEO of A-Team Music Corp. “I've come up from the streets of New York City to achieve a successful career in the music business, producing songs for an array of Multi-Platinum, Grammy-winning artists stemming from Hip Hop, R&B to Reggae. I must thank God every day for what he has blessed me with, and part of that means giving back. That's why we couldn't just sit down and be idle when we see people suffering."
According to Sampalue, “We’re getting a good vibe on the whole project—especially the lyrical content. ‘Count On Me’ is always current. It can be for now, it can be for tomorrow, it can be for 20-odd years down the line.”
The message of “Count On Me” is truly a universal one. Everywhere in the world people want to get involved in a cause that is larger than themselves. As President Obama put it during the aftermath of the disaster in Haiti, “The entire world stands with the government and the people of Haiti, for in Haiti’s devastation we all see the common humanity that we share.” These same words open the song “Count On Me,” as a statement of purpose. In the background, Wyclef Jean can be heard calling for a “State of Emergency.” Now it’s time to let your voice be heard. Moments of crisis are the times when we see the best that the human spirit has to offer, a sentiment summed up in the song’s chant: “One Aim, One Goal, One Blood, One Love." |
