Tasjay Productions and Esdras IS-RA-EL Produce Ballad 'I Love You' For New Album '2 Time 2 Riddim'

When the principals of Tasjay Productions were gathering artists for their ‘2 Time 2 Riddim’ compilation album, they agreed that Esdras IS-RA-EL would be perfect for EP. The veteran singer made a name in his native Jamaica, Toronto and Europe with a distinctive tone and delivery.

He contributed the ballad, ‘I Love You’, to the four-song project which was released on August 8.

According to James Smith of Tasjay Productions, Esdras IS-RA-EL (previously known as Frankie Wilmot) is an unsung hero of the roots movement from the 1990s. Among those he influenced was that decade’s most influential artist.

“Dem man teach Garnet (Silk) how to sing, everybody used to listen to Frankkie Wilmot. He’s an under-rated singer but very good,” said Smith, who encouraged his change to a more spiritual stage name.

Before migrating to Canada, Esdras IS-RA-EL recorded songs for top producers in Jamaica including Bobby Digital and Barry O’Hare.

The other artists and songs on the ‘2 Time 2 Riddim’ are Rad Dixon, a South Florida-based singer who has been with Tasjay Productions for many years. His song is ‘Nah Trust’, while Horace Martin does ‘Married Man’.

Toronto-based singer Tony Anthony does a reggae rendition of ‘Precious Lord’, a popular gospel song with Jamaicans for many years.

Smith said the objective was to reach the ears of indiscriminate fans.

“We touch across all spectrums with this EP…married life, Jesus, politics and girls thing. We are trying to reach a wider audience,” he explained.