Editorial Reviews Cynthia Schloss Blake, a legendary artiste, who contributed so much to Jamaica’s musical heritage left us a rich legacy that will never fade. A budding artiste from Trench Town Primary School, blessed with a vocal instrument of exceptional quality, she sang in her church choir and later as a student at Ardenne High School distinguished herself as a member of that choir. Cynthia started her career in 1972 when Audrey Riley, one of her best friends at the Jamaica Telephone Company where she worked, tricked her into auditioning for the Merritone Amateur Talent series that was showcased at the Glass Bucket Club weekly. She was not only impressive in her audition but became a favorite with the promoter and other panelists who liked her professional approach to everything she was asked to do. Cynthia was most comfortable being herself. She possessed a quality uncommon to average singers, this is the ability to express lyrics effortlessly, with clarity, enunciate smoothly and passionately. Cynthia possessed that rare quality, her sound was unique, individual, a mixture of melodic intonations, effortless phrasing and casual discipline. Having been in the business professionally for 27 years. She believed in quality and proper marketing and would not compromise her standards, perhaps that is the reason Cynthia had only three major producers over the years, husband, Winston “Merritone” Blake, Willie Lindo and Junior Gray. Cynthia recorded only five albums, her first “Ready and Waiting” was an instant hit creating rave reviews in London and at home, followed by “Country Reggae”, “A Reggae Experience”, “Love Songs Are Forever” and “This is Love”. Her number one hits include “Surround me with Love” and her biggest single ever and still popular today, “Love Forever”. She also did singles for Gussie Clarke; Phil Mathias and Rudy Thomas. Cynthia is known widely at home and abroad for her rendition of love songs, although comfortable in any idiom, she had a preference for ballads. A stickler for professionalism, her hallmark was stunning stage appearances, a disarming smile and a charming disposition. Her tremendous appeal to audiences took her on circuit to Florida, New York, Belize, Mexico, London, Cayman Islands and Canada. In Jamaica she was regarded as a veteran entertainer and was never left off the work roster, always in demand for shows at Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve and special occasions. Cynthia has sung harmony and shared stage with some of the best in the business, Peter Tosh, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Pam Hall, Boris Gardener, Beres Hammond and others. Along with Merlyn Brooks, Ruddy Thomas and Beres Hammond, they were known as Total Togetherness. They also recorded together. Her other musical accomplishments include a cut from the soundtrack for the Jamaican movie, “Children of Babylon.” Having been a member of the internationally renowned Jamaican Folk Singers for 18 years, her career with the Group was highlighted with their visit in 1997 to South Africa where they performed and won a gold medal. This gentle lady rose quietly to prominence in both the Jamaica Music Industry and also the Overseas Market with a repertoire of uncompromising quality music. She cemented her place as a major icon in the Jamaican Music Industry singing love songs or songs with family friendly themes at a time when the great inherited lyrical structures of our music were crumbling with crudity, irrelevance and irreverence. This CD "The Songbook (Voice Of An Angel) is as a result of numerous requests from friends, families, well wishers, lovers of great music and loyal die hard fans, who have been unrelenting in their demand for Cynthia's music. In order to facilitate their request we delved into the repertoire of the music and tapes available and compiled what we think is a totally balanced selection of the best of her works. We dedi
Music Review:
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About the Artist
Remembering Jamaica’s Song Bird
Album Description
Merrritone Music is being distributed by Donald C Davidson of AquaGem Records