In November Clatta Bumboo Released His Debut Album 'Make Way Rasta'

While working in Jamaica’s tourism industry, Sheldon Townsend longed to emulate his musical heroes and become a roots-reggae singer. Six years ago, he realized that dream as Clatta Bumboo, and has not looked back.

Make Way Rasta, his debut album, is his biggest statement to date. It was released in November and is dominated by One Drop message songs.

A Rhode Island resident for the past 15 years, Clatta Bumboo recorded the 12-song set there and in Negril, the rural resort town in western Jamaica.

It contains songs like the title track, Give I Strength and Calling to The People which are roots-based and a shout-out to the artists who influenced him.

“My staples are Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Bob Marley, Prince Far I, Soul Syndicate (band), Steven Marley, Raging Fyah, Morgan Heritage, just to name a few,” said Clatta Bumboo. “I am also very keen to label sounds (like) Channel One, Rockers International, Tuff Gong, Channel One UK, Prince Jammy and Taxi Gang; I love the Black Uhuru sound. Where there is a solid drum and bass chemistry, I look in that direction.”

The dreadlocked artist co-produced Make Way Rasta with Jamaican Garfield Gabay and Americans Djim Job and Ray Gennari. He wrote or co-wrote all its songs.

Clatta Bumboo is from Savanna La Mar, a commercial town west of Negril. For many years, he worked as an entertainment coordinator at Sandals Negril, before migrating to the US in 2008 and settling in Rhode Island.

In 2019, he released the EP, Future Water.