In the photo: From left: Breezy, Flexxx in The Complex, Lady Lois, Chandy Locks, Sauce Perreler, and Papa Smurf
Chandy Locks Records, an independent company based in Baltimore, Maryland, is looking to put reggae/dancehall on the map in that city. Launched one year ago, it is headed by Winnette “Chandy Locks” St. Catherine, who is originally from St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands.
The label’s roster is dominated by Jamaican acts including Khago, Dilly Chris and Sauce Perreler who have all recorded songs for the fledgling venture. ‘Clark’s’ by Sauce Perreler, ‘Options’ by Dilly Chris, ‘Village’ and ‘Any likkle Change’ from Flexxx In The Complex are the songs currently being promoted by Chandy Locks Records. Breezy and Papa Smurf are other acts on the Chandy Locks Records books.
The company has also recorded songs with established dancehall artists including Beenie Man, I Wayne, Shane O and Intense. According to Chandy Locks, the organization is not limited to music.
“On the grounds we have a movie theater, we have a rehearsal house where the artists can rehearse for shows. We also have a video camera crew and at the studio artists are free to bring their own engineer and team to ensure a comfortable workplace,” he said.
Chandy Locks says he developed a passion for Jamaican music in his native St. Croix, which has a thriving reggae colony with acts like Midnite and music producer Laurent “Tippy I” Alfred, head of I Grade Records. His influences include Buju Banton, Vybz Kartel and Mavado.
