Originally recorded by soul group The Impressions, ‘Queen Majesty’ (also known as ‘Minstrel And Queen’) has been royally covered by reggae acts like The Techniques, The Jays and Dennis Brown. Singer Soul Rebel recently put her spin on the classic song as ‘King Majesty’.
Written by Curtis Mayfield, who was the creative force behind The Impressions, ‘Queen Majesty’ heard that trio at their peak. In 1967, it was given a rock steady do-over by The Techniques, led by the refined falsetto of Pat Kelly.
‘King Majesty’ is produced by Carlton “Dilly” McLeod of Stingray Records, one of the leading reggae labels in the United Kingdom.
The child of a musician who grew up in the golden age of reggae, Soul Rebel said she was aware of the previous versions of ‘Queen Majesty’, especially The Techniques cut. She took a different approach to the song than Kelly.
“I made it more of a ballad rather than the falsetto style they used. I chose singing in my natural voice but using some falsetto to color it and that’s how I think I did it different,” she explained.
From Linstead in rural St. Caterine parish, Jamaica, Soul Rebel (given name Julian Samuels) has been recording songs since 2012. Last year, she released her EP, ‘Drama’.
Written By Howard Campbell