Reggae artiste Otis Martin, better known as Alovera, believes that his latest album, Spiritual Warfare is fitting for the times the world’s population is currently living through.
The 10 track project released last year was motivated by his desire to give reggae lovers a new body of work from the traditional crooner since his previous projects,Ā Ā Love Can Save The Day and Roots Radic Soldier, were released in 2011 and 2018 respectively.
Specific tracks on theĀ Spiritual WarfareĀ album were done to motivate and inspire listeners who are going through personal challenges, while others are set as social commentary on issues in Jamaica and worldwide.
The artiste couldnāt have envisioned however that the project would be a mantra for those coming out of a global pandemic and even those facing exile and an impending war in countries like Poland, Russia and Ukraine.
āI was pleasantly surprised to see persons from countries like Russia messaging me about my album and streaming the singles on the project. I know that I aim to make music that the world can enjoy regardless of colour, class, culture or language, so itās great when the music is connecting with persons in these countries,ā Alovera explained
Singles likeĀ Crime and ViolenceĀ resonate with not only persons facing garrison violence in theĀ streetsĀ of Jamaica but refugees forced to flee their homes to avoid being killed in bombings.
āCrime and violence is based on my own experience growing up in central Kingston in Jamaica, we saw a lot of harsh realities and brutality but we remained positive and hopeful. This is what I want those persons going through their own challenges or even global disorder to continue to do, stay positive and hopeful,ā Alovera added
TheĀ Spiritual WarfareĀ album benefited from a slew of worldwide producers from France, Africa, Jamaica and Australia; it was released on Aloveraās labelĀ Alos Records.
