Clive Hunt, the Jamaican producer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist long celebrated for shaping decades of reggae, has stepped into the spotlight as a recording artiste with the release of a new album, Undeniably Clive Hunt aka Lizzard.
From behind the console to centre stage
Released on Friday and now available on major streaming services, the project presents an 11-track collection that finds the visually impaired veteran singing material he wrote or co-wrote in recent years. Although Hunt's reputation has been built on his work supporting other artists, the album reveals a side of his creative life that was previously less public.
Hunt told reporters that he has long created music in his spare time and that the timing felt right to share these recordings. He said much of the new material had been kept unreleased or unfinished until now.
"I have a lot of music unreleased and unfinished, but I did these songs in recent years. I make a lot of music in my spare time, and these were the latest collection of music I did, and I decided to put them out."
Rooted in message as much as rhythm
The album is described by Hunt as a roots reggae effort “with a twist.” Beyond arrangement and groove, he emphasises that the lyrical content matters: the record carries social and political themes he regards as important for listeners.
"I think these are the type of content that people need to hear and be aware of. Reggae is more than a beat; it's the message."
The track list mixes original compositions with one notable reinterpretation. Hunt recorded a version of Waves of War, an interpretation of material associated with the influential Jamaican singer and songwriter Joe Higgs, whom Hunt cites as an artistic model.
Tracks and collaborations
The album contains songs that span subjects from celebration to conscience. Titles named in publicity include Earth Run Dry, Jamaican Party, Di Valley, Good To Be There, No Peace, Victory, Satta I and Mango Walk. The closing track is an Earth Run Dry (Remix) that features French reggae artist Yaniss Odua, signalling international interest in the project.
- Artist: Clive Hunt (aka Lizzard)
- Release: Undeniably Clive Hunt aka Lizzard
- Tracks: 11
- Notable collaborators: Yaniss Odua (featured on remix)
| Track | Note |
|---|---|
| Earth Run Dry | Original; closes with remix featuring Yaniss Odua |
| Jamaican Party | Original composition |
| Di Valley | Original composition |
| Good To Be There | Original composition |
| No Peace | Original composition |
| Victory | Original composition |
| Satta I | Original composition |
| Mango Walk | Original composition |
| Waves of War | Hunt's interpretation of Joe Higgs' work |
Career context and reception
Hunt's career spans more than five decades. Internationally respected for his arranging and production work, he has contributed to the success of major Jamaican artists and helped export reggae sounds to global audiences. Singing is not new to him: he recalls having recorded songs earlier in his career that found traction in the United Kingdom and New York’s Tri-State region. Yet for many years he remained predominantly a behind-the-scenes figure.
With this release he is inviting listeners to hear both his musicianship and his voice, and to consider the messages threaded through the music. The inclusion of an international collaborator on the remix suggests the album may attract attention beyond Jamaica; early notices indicate interest in how a veteran producer reframes himself as a front-facing artist.
For Canadian audiences who follow reggae's evolution and its diasporic conversations, the album is another marker of how the genre continues to be stewarded by figures who blend craft, history and message. Whether Hunt's voice on record will lead to more live performances or further releases remains to be seen, but Undeniably Clive Hunt aka Lizzard makes clear he still has creative energy to share.
