After captivating audiences with his debut single ‘My Island’, Californian singer Eddie Witz is gearing up to drop his second release, ‘Jamaica Time’ on April 5th. Serving as a tantalizing preview of his highly anticipated debut album, ‘I Am What I Am’, Witz offers a taste of his signature sunny pop sound. Combining elements of world music, folk, Americana, pop, and reggae in a multicultural fusion, this irresistible masterpiece is set to be a hit for the summer.

‘Jamaica Time’ exemplifies Witz’s knack for crafting breezy, uplifting melodies and seamless arrangements. Transporting listeners to a tropical paradise, it is a unique combination of laid-back rhythms, infectious hooks and introspective lyrics that embody the soulful nature of pop/rock/reggae music. Adopting the genre’s classic features, the hit is fuelled by positive energy, sonically painting a sun-soaked atmosphere.

The vibrant single features a lineup of accomplished musicians who inject vitality into the project, forming Eddie Witz and The Most High. The record includes the iconic drumming of Sly Dunbar of Sly and Robbie fame, who has recorded drums and produced with artists from Bob Marley to Bootsy Collins to Bob Dylan, as well as the highly acclaimed keyboardist Robbie Lyn, best known for his work with Peter Tosh and Third World. Additional musicians include Adam Topol on percussion (Jack Johnson’s drummer/percussionist), Randy Cooke (known for work with Smash Mouth and Kelly Clarkson) on additional drum kit, and the esteemed Steve Fekete (renowned for his work with Gwen Stefani, Avril Lavigne, and Steve Perry) on electric and acoustic guitar. Their collective expertise and unique talents merge to create magical music synergy, resulting in a harmonious, unified sound that is sure to delight audiences worldwide.

As the frontman of Eddie Witz and The Most High, the singer-songwriter leads a collection of passionate, dedicated musicians who share a vision of spreading messages of hope, healing, and harmony through their music. As a collective, the band aims to craft songs that resonate with listeners on a profound level.
Witz’s songwriting is a reflection of his Jamaican influences, which solely inspired the visuals for previous singles ‘My Island’ and ‘Jamaica Time’, which were filmed in the resort town of Ocho Rios in the parish of St Ann, Jamaica. Hoping to promote Jamaican tourism with both singles, Witz reminisced on his musical upbringing: “Jamaican music and culture have always influenced me both personally and professionally since first visiting the sweet island as a young boy. I discovered Bob Marley’s music and never looked back. I was so happy to be immersed in the world of reggae music and culture. So much so that I came back to visit Bob’s resting place in Nine Mile and pay my respects. My music has a heavy influence and positive consciousness that allows me the ability to express my feelings and emotions through lyrics and melodies.”

The story of how ‘Jamaica Time’ came to be is the result of a fascinating twist of fate. Originally written by Native Wayne Jobson for Jimmy Buffett, after co-writing the song ‘Altered Boy’, the recording of ‘Jamaica Time’ was halted after Buffett's plane was accidentally mistaken for a drug smuggler on a flight to Negril, in which Jamaican police opened fire and hit the plane seven times, which damaged the fuselage. The flight also included U2’s Bono, his family, and Islands Records founder Chris Blackwell on board. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and Buffet did eventually get a song out of it, entitled ‘Jamaica Mistaica’.

Eddie Witz’s forthcoming album, ‘I Am What I Am’, set to debut in the summer of 2024, chronicles his voyage of self-discovery and maturation. Drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Jack Johnson, Ben Harper, John Butler, and Jimmy Buffett, Witz fuses elements of pop, Americana, folk, and reggae/world music to craft a distinctive and entrancing auditory experience. The album explores themes of resilience, forgiveness, and the transformative power of healing through music. Aiming to uplift spirits, it is a celebration of self-acceptance, embracing life’s ups and downs, and encouraging compassion.

Speaking on ‘I Am What I Am’, Witz shared, “I hope that listeners will find solace, inspiration, and joy in the melodies and lyrics of this EP and that it serves as a soundtrack for their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth." Witz suffers from the rare condition Ramsay-Hunt syndrome, which has helped shape his path to healing. As a result of a shingles attack stemming from personal trauma, Witz developed a rare condition, leaving him with partial paralysis on the right side of his face, head, and neck. The artist embraced courage and creativity to overcome and hopes to inspire others with his resilience.

Teaming up with industry greats like Native Wayne Jobson and Jeff Barry, Witz’s ‘Jamaica Time’ showcases the harmonious togetherness of Eddie Witz and The Most High. Enriched with layers of complexity, his inaugural single, ‘My Island’, revealed in October 2023, captivated audiences, soared to #3 on College Radio Charts across multiple nations, and secured regular airplay on Sirius/XM Vacation Radio Channel. With two infectious hit-worthy singles under his belt and an enthralling debut album on the way, Eddie Witz’s talents and unique sensibilities are destined to elevate his musical journey to impressive new heights. Be sure to check out ‘Jamaica Time’ on April 5th and keep your eyes peeled for his debut album, ‘I Am What I Am’ later this year.