Danny I ADD
St. Croix is well known for producing countless talented roots reggae singers.
Just as the reggae world has begun to embrace V.I. artists like Midnite, Dezarie, Abja, Army, Batch and Ras Attitude, there are many others whose talents are legendary in the VI but have yet to be exposed to the wider world. Danny I is one such artist whose underground following is about to break the soil with his epic release on I Grade Records, Unchangeable (November 2007).
Danny I, born Luis Daniel Gomez, was born and raised in the La Grande Princesse area of St. Croix, USVI. After graduating from high school in 1992, Danny I spent three years in the US military. Upon his return to St. Croix, he began his musical odyssey by teaming up with Army and Jahold to form the band, Sacred Science. It was with these two similarly smooth-voiced singers that Danny I recorded his first release – the combination song "Yesterday's News" on Army's debut album. Shortly thereafter, Danny I released four outstanding songs on the compilation, Eastbound Vol. II (2000) – one of which ("Soldier") was later re-released on the renowned compilation series, Crucial Reggae From Outside of Jamaica (Skank Records). With this solid foundation of tunes under his belt, Danny I released his first album, JAH FURY, with Iyah Ites Productions in 2001.
The 14 songs on this album were heartfelt roots gems that showcased Danny I's mystical songwriting that has the rare combination of depth and simplicity. Since this debut release, Danny I has appeared on three acclaimed roots compilation albums, WAKE UP CALL (SPM Records 2003), TALKIN ROOTS II (Mt. Nebo Records 2005) and EASTBOUND III (Iyah Ites Prod. 2007). Danny I's artistic mission is to "write songs that make us look into ourselves so that we can correct what we need to live up." This mission is fully accomplished on his second release, UNCHANGEABLE.
The 16 songs on this album present a wide range of topics and riddim styles, while all flowing together with a common vibration of renewal and reconciliation. With guest appearances by Midnite and NiyoRah and with production by I Grade Records, Million 7 and Studio 340, Unchangeable is a roots masterpiece that will bring Danny I's crucial messages to the four corners.
