Reggae crooner Mikey Spice drops ‘Money Talk’

Jamaican-born singer Mikey Spice, regarded as one of Jamaica’s most talented vocalists, takes a crack at a country song titled “Money Talk.”

Spice’s reggae version is an adaptation of “Forever in Blue Jeans,“ a song by country singer Neil Diamond that Columbia Records released as a single in 1979. The song peaked at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was featured on Diamond’s album “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers.”

Spice hopes his cover will achieve similar success. He told Caribbean Life on Tuesday, “I am hoping that someone will not just like it but want to go further. “I feel it will be accepted by the reggae community.“

The singer – born Michael Theophilus Johnson, whose vocal styling has been compared to R&B crooners Lou Rawls, Barry White, and Teddy Pendergrass – reeled off hitmakers Tim Mcgraw, Dolly Parton, and Kenny Rogers as country singers who have influenced him.

“There are so many names that I could call that have influenced my love for Country music,“ he said. “People don’t know that reggae is based off country music. Country music is a storyline; reggae music is a storyline, and some of the most influential reggae music comes from country music.”

Spice began recording in 1991 and, two years later, delivered a scintillating performance at Reggae Sunsplash 1993 that caught the eyes of executives at Indy label Ras Records. Ras Records released his debut album, “Happiness,” in 1995.

Spice followed up with “Born Again“ and reaped chart success with his summertime hit, “Practice What You Preach.”

The singer – who was raised in the Church of God in Kingston, the Jamaican capital, where his father served as bishop – disclosed that he has several new projects in the pipeline.

“I never stop working,“ he said. “I am about to release a gospel album out of all the stuff I have been doing. I also need to finish my Jazz album, which is very good.”

In the interim, Spice said he has also been swamped on stage, charming fans on solo gigs in Toronto and Rebel Salute in Jamaica.

In addition, he said he has been touring with lovers’ rock maestro Beres Hammond, delivering stellar performances at sold-out shows in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.