MOOR SOUND by Elena Omauno

If Jamaica is the land of wood, water and mystic vibrations, then the 
eastern parish of Portland is the island’s soaring soul. Breezes bathe 
secluded stretches of powdery sand that give way to shimmering, azure 
sea; thick emerald bush and brilliantly colored flowers surround 
rolling hills and crystalline waterfalls. This is the fertile breeding 
ground for the wise men that come from the East, including one of 
Jamaica’s bright new musical messengers, MOOR SOUND. His name cleverly 
evokes what people will be clamoring for once they’ve heard this 
break-out artist, at the same time that it recalls Africa’s Moors, a 
people who once ruled the know world. 
 
“My purpose is not to force my ideals or religious beliefs on people,” 
says the sing-jay who was born Valentine Patrick Clarke in the District 
of Reach. “But more love can create the passage for more peace is the 
underlined message. It’s really how you put the message across – simple 
and real – and we might change the course of some things in the world. 
I want to remind everyone that we’re all brothers and sisters and take 
it as far as I can. 
 
Reggae’s presence on the R&B and hip-hop charts is stronger than ever 
today, “but I can’t relate to some of the dancehall lyrics that is a 
orgy of sex, violence, vanity and hype” Moor Sound observes. “There are 
a lot of artists who really deal with reality, like Buju, Sizzla Abija, 
and Bushman, but the riddims and hype get more play than the conscious 
message of reality. And what people do not realize is, it’s a handful 
of people who make the decision to play these records to the masses. 
There are a lot of conscious people out there just like back in the 
day, but sex, violence and hyped-up lyrics is forced on us. Some youths 
will naturally lean towards the negative message in the lyrics just out 
of being rebellious because they don’t want to listen to the same music 
their parents listened to because it’s not cool. Music can be very 
influential, it is just unfortunate that some let lyrics prompt 
negative behavior. I believe there’s always room for changes though. 
Sooner or later a trend will come along and alter things.” 
 
Moor Sound is signed to D.I.A. Records, and the company is poised to 
unveil their artist beginning with the debut single, titled after his 
sing-jay name. Spring-boarding off the raw vocals and dread lyricism 
that are key to reggae’s appeal, the “Moor Sound” track introduces this 
visionary’s unique style, an injection into the music of a soulful 
element that is naturally and essentially his own. Refusing the limits 
imposed by marketing reggae in its own or other narrow categories, 
D.I.A. is marketing Moor Sound, via the “global rock” agenda – to surf 
rock heads, world music buffs, alternative rock fans, and of course the 
roots and dancehall massives. The “Moor Sound” song is like the welcome 
sea breezes of his native Portland. The track harkens to simpler times 
when lyrical revelations were inclusive, heartfelt, simple yet 
profound. 
 
Moor Sound is currently recording his debut CD for D.I.A. Records. He 
is voicing over fast-chugging power beats laid down by NYC’s sizzling 
hot two-tone ska-punk-dancehall luminary, King Django (Jango). The Moor 
Sound track was recorded at Ed Robinson’s studio in Brooklyn. Tracks 
were recorded at UB40 Studio in Ocho Rios, Jamaican also. Shouts to 
D.I.A. Krew worldwide, Val & Paulette Long, Lone Ranger, Earl Marr, DJ. 
Wayne and the Irie FM crew, Courtney “Peas Head” Marr, Mikey Slue and 
Junior “Gosh DIA” Deans holding it down in Negril, Jamaica. Websites: 
www.MOORSOUND.com.; www.DIA-Inc.com.