Beres Hammond’s rich, soulful baritone made him a shining star in both lovers rock (romantic) and dancehall (club dance) reggae styles. Since his classic solo debut,1976’s Soul Reggae, Hammond has been one of reggae’s most innovative and successful performers, with hits including “One Step Ahead,” “Is This a Sign,” “Tempting to Touch,” “Picking Up the Pieces” and the Maxi Priest duet “How Can We East the Pain.”
Hammond’s 2012 double album One Love, One Life topped the Billboard reggae chart, and was nominated for a Grammy Award. In 2014, the Jamaican government awarded him the Order of Jamaica, in recognition of his “exceptional and dedicated contribution to the Jamaican music industry.”
