Casta "Kesta" Pearson is an aspiring producer from Jamaica, W.I., who now resides in the Bronx, NY. He is a hardworking man trying to get his musc well known and recognized by many. If you know ANYTHING about the foundation of Dancehall Reggae Music, then you have to KNOW who Kesta Pearson is. Kesta gave many artistes their primary start to voice recordings and is the original Producer to MANY of
Dancehall’s greatest legends. Artistes like Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, Little Meeky and Thriller U are all members of his stalwart musical fraternity of Dancehall talent. Lady Patra leads the pack along with Junie Ranks in Kesta’s burgeoning camp of female artistes that he has produced early on in their careers. Here, in this sweet riddim package, “The Best of Kesta Records, Vol. I”, Kesta reaches deep into his musical vault of treasures to bring you a very special bounty of hits that he produced in the 80’s. These well-loved tracks all have their special place in propelling these and many other artistes to the top of the charts!!!
“The Best of Kesta Records, Vol. Any Dancehall aficionado or any new fans of vintage Dancehall alike will find that this musical series can’t be beat! You can find these compilations available on iTunes and other Online Music Stores everywhere!!! If you LOVE 80’s Dancehall Music, this Compilation Album is dedicated to YOU!!! Kesta is from Aquarious Records in Jamaica. He worked at Aquarious from 1980-1991. Thats when he migrated to the USA. Now he is living in the Bronx where he owns Kesta Records. Kesta has been producing since 1985. Some of the artists Kesta produces are: Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, Lady Patra, Junie Ranks, Little Meeky, Daddy Meeky, Daddy Woody, Malibu, Johnny P, Galaxy P, Gregory Isaac, Derrick Parker, and many more. Right now Kesta is working with Snuupi AKA Dawg, who is a up coming star. Kesta is very good when it comes to new stars. He voices most of those artists before they reached where they are now. What Kesta doesn't understand is that some Producers and Radio DJ's don't know talent. They just wait until somebody else starts playing a song before they start playing it or voice the artists. Other Producers can't listen to a song and say "Yes, This is a hit". Some Radio DJ's play the same songs everyday. Both Producers and Radio DJ's they don't even give the young artists a chance. What they don't understand is that every artist started out as a new artist before they can reach where they are at now. Buju Banton was a new artist. Mad Cobra was a new artist. Elephant Man was a new artist. Beenie Man was a new artist. Also Vybz Kartel was even a new artist. And look where they all are at now. They all made it big in the music industries. How can other young artist make it big if nobody gives them a chance. So all he is trying to say is give all the young artists a chance to be heard. Producers too. Voice the young artists, let them be heard.In a time where the Music Industry seems to be in dire straits creatively and as "hurry come up" music and artistes seem to be the order of the day, we must note that Reggae Music is not exempt from that premise. We have to give maximum respect to the pioneers who have lead the way in the Reggae game. Without them, Reggae would be just another passing phase. One of the many unsung heroes who pioneered the way is Casta "Kesta" Pearson. Trust, if his passion for Reggae Music could be bottled up and sold, Kesta (as he is known in the Reggae community), would be a millionaire many times over. Kesta has successfully and single-handedly launched the careers of such Reggae celebrities like Buju Banton, Mad Cobra, Patra, Tiger, Red Rose, Derrick Parker, Little Meeky ,Snuupi.Jehvauri and many other significant Reggae artistes. Casta Pearson was born on June in the rural area of Marlie Hill in St. Catherine, Jamaica, W.I. This kind-hearted Gemini is the middle child of Eva Feurtado and Urnel Pearson, however, Kesta was raised by his beloved Grandmother, Ms. Celestina Pearson whom he affectionately calls "Mama". It was Mama who inspired Kesta musically because she exposed her children and grandchildren to music at a very early age. "Bwoy, mi remember how Mama used to play all of the instruments in the church band. From tambourine, to guitar, to bass drum, Mama used to pull out the table and lamp and make sweet music for the Lord for all ah di church people dem.", Kesta remembers. "I would get really excited and ask Mama fi play fi us over and over again still." She would tell me, "Okay, jus' sweep out di place and I will play music for the Lord". It was these rousing sessions where Kesta received his true exposure to music. Rightfully so, young Kesta could not get enough of it! However, his thirst for music was very hard to quench. He began to look elsewhere to fulfill his musical needs and passion. Outside of Mama's church sessions, local Sound Systems were starting to become extremely popular in the area. Even still, in those days Sound Systems would play out only three times a year during a specific Holiday, plus young Kesta was not old enough to partake in any Dancehall activities. It was during this time Kesta migrated to Old Harbour and later on from there, Kingston. Still encompassed by his strong musical passion, Kesta also had a unique talent and penchant for farming. "I loved farming as well as music and was accepted into the Jamaica School of Agriculture (JSA). However, as soon as I got through, the school closed down and became the Spanish Town Police Academy.", says Kesta. "But every likkle thing happens fi a reason still. I took on a part-time job working weekends for Aquarius Records in Halfway Tree." he gushes. It was at Aquarius Records under the watchful eye of the Chin-Loy family, where Kesta began to hone his skills by watching Herman Chin-Loy's technique and prowess as a Record Producer. Aquarius Records was "a must" for all big and popular artistes to pass through, as Kesta was their point-person to order their records to have in stock at the store. It was Kesta that they trusted for them to deliver the hottest Reggae tunes of the week. Every day Reggae celebrities would come to Aquarius to voice or purchase the latest in Reggae music. Everyone from Beres Hammond, Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, Shabba Ranks, Pinchers, Culture, Yellow Man, Third World, Black Uhuru, Peter Metro, Freddie McGregor, and Junior Reid were among the store's frequent visitors. "Herman used to ask me if I knew who that was every time someone came into the store. "Of course!" I would tell him. He would just smile at me and go on with the order of the day." Kesta continued to watch and learn everything from spinning records, to music production. Kesta is a musically gifted man with a very keen sense of riddim. Everyone that knows him can attest that Kesta's musical "ear" is extraordinary. Kesta was and is still able to hear talent its most raw form. As a matter-of-fact, it was Kesta that brought artistes to the attention of then major Reggae Manager, Specialist (co-owner of the then world-renowned Specs/Shang Records). Most notably Patra, Mad Cobra, Courtney Melody and Richie Stephens were Kesta's unique referrals to Specialist. As it usually does, Kesta's hard work paid off, as it was around this time when he moved from being a part-time employee to a full-time employee of Aquarius Records. "This was a really exciting time for me, but I had to get used to standing on my feet all day.", Kesta laughs. But after about a week, I was at my best and there has been no looking back". It was during this time when Sound Man Jah Life came in to the store and gave Kesta his first riddim to voice artistes on. "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was the Admiral Bailey hit, "Two-Year Old". I took the riddim and put it on a reel-to-reel tape. The first artiste weh mi did put on di riddim was a female artiste named Red Rose, who voiced "Two Minute Man" and Little Meeky & Daddy Meeky who voiced "Dynasty". Both of those tracks were hits for Kesta, who was on a musical roll. "Bwoy, voicing dem two chune deh wet mi foot. Ah it dis??? Mi could not believe di new love weh develop inna mi for music at that time." He was so excited, that he was finally able to begin to achieve his dream and goals in music. Kesta began to scout artistes island-wide, and became a one-away A&R Executive of sort. Reggae music was in his blood and even though the Reggae music business was full of "poli-tricks", Kesta was his own hard-earned, one-man show. He was totally independent in his A&R scout game, but he bestowed a reputation for being open, honest and fair. Artistes would come directly to Kesta as they knew that their record would be released on radio and to the "street" within that very same week. This reputation followed Kesta to "faren", when he left the Island of Jamaica and migrated to the United States. Arriving first in Brooklyn in 1991 and later settling in the "Uptown" area of the Bronx, New York, Kesta took on the position of Manager of Hamma Records on the Bronx's infamous Dyre Avenue. There he managed and ran the store for the owner, Hamma, who trusted the musical genius that was Kesta. Kesta continued to produce tracks in the Hamma Studios located in the basement of the store. There he worked with friends Nilloc and Chappy, two local Bronx residents that shared Kesta's passion and vision for the genre. Eventually, in 1995 Hamma sold Kesta the store and Kesta Records was born!!! Kesta Records quickly gained the reputation of being one of the few record stores that would get records straight up from Jamaica two times a week. As more and more people migrated to the New York area from Jamaica, they knew that there was only one "Kesta" in Reggae music and they quickly found where they could get the best and the latest music from Jamaica. As Kesta Records continued to thrive as a business, fate would have it that logistically the shop was forced to move from its original Dyre Avenue location. Although disappointed, this did not deter Kesta. Determined, he continued to sell records and tapes as well as producing artistes from a remote location. However, this was also a time for change in the Music Industry. "Vinyl (records) were becoming obsolete, and people were switching from tape to CDs. Even though I was running my store on a more economic level, it was hard for the small stores like mine to keep up with what was going on with the Major Record labels.", he said. "With so much burning of CDs, downloading and prostitution of the music, the customer had no idea how they were mashing up di industry. Artistes and their management haffi eat a food, and with all ah di piracy, things got hard still. Yuh don't make back your money, much less try fi make a profit. There is no loyalty in this game. Everyone loses". As a stalwart member of the Uptown Bronx community, Kesta continues to hold on to his dreams and gives back to the community. He is a firm believer of allowing new talent to be heard. "If new talent were not allowed or given an opportunity, there would be no Mavado, Vybz Kartel, Taurrus Riley or even a Beenie or Buju.", Kesta reminds us. He is a firm believer of giving everybody a chance to shine. Currently, in 2008, Kesta Records has had a strong resurgence of his Label imprint. In conjunction with VP Records, Moodie's Records and his own Distribution efforts, Kesta welcomes the release of his two CDs, the first being a compilation CD remixed with Buju Banton, Cobra and Little Meeky which was voiced on his own brand-new, "Dyre Riddim". The second release is a stellar debut performance from his solo artiste, L.I.ZEE called "Sunny Days". Kesta is enjoying heavy rotation of both of his projects on the radio, as well as embarking on a strong National and International promotional campaign. He encourages his fans to check him and his music out on his website at www.kestarecords.com and on MySpace at MySpace.com/kestarecords.
'Nuff said, Casta "Kesta" Pearson is true to the Reggae game. He is one of the chosen few who is consistent in Reggae Music. For his efforts, Kesta is destined to have many, many more "Sunny Days" ahead. Written by Caryl "Quashie~Boo!!!" Quashie
For Images International, Ltd. July 15, 2008
Currently listening: Turn it up,Oh baby,Flipping weekend By Jehvauri
Sunny Days
By L. I. ZEE and Tun it Up Riddim
