Kirkledove bares his soul

For Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and songwriter Kirk “Kirkledove” Bennett, music has always been more than rhythm and melody. It has been a source of healing, reflection, and expression. Those emotions take centre stage on his latest album, Analog Heart Digital Mind, which was released on June 4.

While Bennett has built a prominent career as one of Jamaica’s most respected session drummers, the project sees him stepping further into the spotlight as a recording artiste, blending reggae, dub, and soulful influences to tell a deeply personal story. The inspiration for the album came during one of the most difficult periods of his life. “The inspiration behind this album came from a time in my life when I was in a vulnerable situation, or at least I felt that way.

When my grandma passed away, she [had been] that person I could share anything with, and she was no longer around. I became very emotional towards creating, which put me in a different perspective and process mood towards my music. Luckily, I had some friends who supported me through the process and journey,” Bennett said.

The result is an album that Bennett describes as a “soulful vibes dub reggae fusion”, created with the hope of uplifting listeners despite its emotional origins. “My main objective is to make the people in this world feel joyful and upbeat towards my music,” he said. Although Analog Heart Digital Mind is his latest release, Bennett is no stranger to recording projects, having released a few albums throughout his career.

However, he says this one stands apart from his previous work. “My other albums are straight dub music. This album is more about being on a musical journey, with more grooves, more of my vocals, and showing more emotions,” he explained.

The album also features collaborations with long-time friends and musical associates Anthony Red Rose, Dean Fraser, Jah Man, and Mr Vegas. “These are my close friends who I’ve been working with for years, so it was ordained to be that way to finish the puzzle,” Bennett said. Known affectionately throughout the music industry as “Drummy”, Bennett has spent decades behind the scenes helping to shape the sound of reggae and dancehall.