Gramps Morgan and his eldest son, Jemere, who is also a recording artist, held a pre-launch press conference for his new album, entitled Positive Vibration, on Saturday morning, July 9, at the Anguilla Tourist Board. Morgan said, “I am home. Every time I come to Anguilla it’s a feeling that is indescribable. This is a special place. I believe the future of Anguilla will shock everybody because I believe the growth of Anguilla is still yet to come.”
Stacey Liburd, Director of the Anguilla Tourist Board, said, during the pre-concert press conference, that with less than two weeks of planning, the launch of Gramps Morgan’s new album in Anguilla was a sold out affair. The launch concert was held on the evening of July 9 at the Manoah Boutique Hotel located on Shoal Bay beach. Liburd said: “Thank you, Sir, for choosing to mark this moment in time in Anguilla – a place you call your second home, I understand. We are truly honoured to celebrate this new body of work with you, and learn more about the inspiration behind the album, your journey to recording the album, and why you chose Anguilla as one of the places you will celebrate the album’s launch.”
Morgan said that though he is Jamaican, by birth, it was Anguilla that he thought about when writing Positive Vibration. A frequent visitor to Anguilla, he said, “I remember the tranquility that I enjoyed of this island and a lot of people couldn’t enjoy it during the pandemic. I said I was going to build the sound track for people like you – an album that every Minister of Tourism in the Caribbean can say, come to our island that is palatable and represents the Caribbean people. That is my dream – music that can be played both in the bars and in church.”
Morgan not only talked of his new album but also his musical curiosity and openness to exploring the inclusion of musical genres such as country music into his reggae musical sound. Morgan said that his goal is to become a better songwriter, regardless of his already received Grammys, saying: “I’m still learning in the industry and accepting that there are levels to the business.”
Clearly a positive role model for the up and coming generation, he talked at length of the necessity of adults guiding and mentoring the youth towards a positive and uplifting life.
Minister of Tourism, Haydn Hughes, in his comments said, “Gramps is reggae royalty, the son of Jamaican hitmaker Denroy Morgan, founder of the legendary Morgan Heritage Band. For nearly thirty years, Gramps and his siblings have performed in the family band which won its first Grammy award for Best Reggae Album in 2016. The dynasty continues into its third generation with Gramps’ son, Jemere Morgan, featured on his new album proving that astounding musical talent is engrained into his family – his DNA.”
He said, “Gramps is a longstanding friend of Anguilla, and I would like to think that our amazing island is also a source of inspiration and creativity on his musical journeys.”
The launching event was supported by the Manoah Boutique Hotel, the Anguilla Tourist Board, Flow, Tropical Distributors, Hi-Tek Signs & Designs and Millennium Sounds and Staging, Inc… Omari Banks and Natty and the Band also performed at the venue.
– Press Release
