Jordan McClure (left) and David Hale of Chimney Records. At right Anything’s Possible by Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid was produced by Chimney Records—.
THE Rising Sun is arguably the hottest beat currently on the dancehall market. It is produced by Jordan McClure and David Hayle of Chimney Records.
The former Campion College students, both 29, started Chimney Records in 2007. The label has churned out numerous beats and hits including the Movie Star ‘riddim’ which yielded the Vybz Kartel hit Like a Movie, Dem a Talk and Let Me Go by Mavado, and Can I by Blak Ryno.
“We wanted to deliver a project that would inspire positive and uplifting feelings with a sound that would appeal to a broad spectrum of listeners. It took over a year to get all the songs together but the music and concept resonated with each artist and at the end of the day, we were very satisfied with the results,” said McClure.
“Both myself and David are musicians and engineers. We also do artist development and a lot more.”
A lot more includes the popular Tropical Escape, Showbiz and Uncut riddims. Some popular Chimney singles include Gimme Likkle One Drop and Never Leave I Jah Jah by Tarrus Riley, Aint No Giving In by Chronixx, and Value of a Lady by Bramma.
According to McClure, the Tropical Escape has been their biggest production to date.
“It was our first true step into the reggae/one drop genre and brought attention to our versatility as a label,” he said.
The Rising Sun, which has songs by Riley (My Day), Tessanne Chin (Anything’s Possible), Chronixx and Kabaka Pyramid (Mi Alright), among others, has maintained Chimney’s momentum.
With overseas sales for dancehall music at an all time low, Hayle says the label still has a viable market outside Jamaica.
“There is still a niche market for vinyl records, mostly in Europe, and many of our records are currently available there in that format.”
Upcoming projects from Chimney Records include an EP with singjay Zagga.