Written in 1949 by Mexican composer Alberto Dominguez, ‘Perfidia’ has been interpreted by some of the greatest singers including Nat King Cole. Jamaican artists, Phyllis Dillon and Pam Hall, rode reggae charts with their versions.
Chaka Demus and Isha Bel are the latest Jamaican artists to take a crack at the classic track. Their version, co-produced by Chaka Demus and Grub Cooper, was recently released by Bright Star Productions/Tuff Gong International.
The duo is backed by leading session musicians such as Cooper on drums, keyboardist Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul and bassist Ian Knight.
‘Perfidia’ is the second single from Chaka Demus’ upcoming album, scheduled for release on August 7. The first was ‘Jealous’, which heard him alongside longtime musical partner Pliers, and Tanto Metro and Devonte.
For ‘Perfidia’, he teams with Isha Bel who has steadily built a reputation as a roots artist in Jamaica and Europe. Her songs include ‘Locks Grow’, ‘In my House’ and ‘Too Much Duppy Stories’.
Reggae fans have always rocked to ‘Perfidia’. Phyllis Dillon’s version, produced by Duke Reid, was released in 1967, while Hall hit the charts 20 years later with a cut produced by Rodguel “Blackbeard” Sinclair.
