Music

PRESAVE NOW!

The song began as a collaboration between Jamaican poet and artist, Ras Devon Husmo and Jim Balfour about our world being on fire.  The song asserts that we must ‘live our lives for our children’ and poses the question  ‘the world is calling, will you answer?’  Self-interest, greed and the need for power must be challenged for the planet to be saved

During the winter months, Otis Gayle, Marleen Fawcett and Carl Henry are the headlining vocalists at the famous boat bar in Negril, Jamiaca.  Jim plays congas/percussion with the backing ‘Rebbles Band’ and often sings the songs of Bob Marley.   Marleen, Otis and Carl quickly signed on to the project due to the importance of the message.

Marleen Fawcett:  A talented and popular performer in all genres of music, Marleen has released a number of albums and shared the stage and opened with great musicians including Kim Mitchell, April Wine, Trooper, Ricky Skaggs and Tammy Wynette.  She has performed in Europe and the United States and is a proud Canadian residing in Mountain, Ontario.

Otis Gayle:  born in Kingston, Jamaica and recorded at a young age at the famous Studio One, has released numerous albums, and toured Europe and the United States on a number of occasions. Otis won the first ever Juno awarded for reggae recording of the year in 1983.   A Jamaican-Canadian, Otis resides in Toronto, Ontario and Western Jamaica.

Carl Henry:  a Juno nominee and multi award winner, born in Jamaica and raised in Montreal, Carl is recognized for his rhythm and blues and reggae stylings, frequently headlining shows in Ontario, Quebec and touring Jamaica.  Carl has released numerous highly recognized albums.

Collin Reid: keyboard player and studio engineer has toured with Gregory Isaacs and numerous other Jamaican artists.

Stephen Depass: bass, working out of Kingston and Montego Bay, Jamaica, Stephen has toured with Jimmy Cliff and Buju Banton and many other top reggae artists.

Tanisha Wedderburn:  residing in Savannah la Mar, Jamaica, she is known as ‘harmony’ for obvious reasons, recording and performing frequently in Jamaica

“Collage” is a beautiful mixture of songs with diverse musical genres including reggae, blues, Latin, soca, and rhythm and blues. Jim has written eleven new songs for “Collage”; Sheldon Corbett has contributed an original instrumental “August”, and Dan Silljer sings lead vocal on a terrific cover song (the only one).  The album was recorded by “Jim Balfour and friends (2021)” at Randy Woods Studio and in treaty six territory and the homeland of Metis people.

“Friends” include Graham Tilsley (bass), Kyle Krysa (drums), Dan Silljer (lead guitar and vocals), Geoff Assman (keyboards), Randy Woods (guitar, harmonies) and Diane Woods (vocal). Special guest “friends” include Sheldon Corbett (keyboard/sax); Don Griffith (piano) on “Still Vertical”; Wilma Groenen, vocal duets with Jim on “Side of the Road” and “Love Affair”; David Olan Upwards (congas) on “Dancing with the Breeze”; and Adam Streisel (trumpet) on “Dancing with the Breeze”

It is the talents of these wonderful musicians that pulls the songs together, and Jim is so very grateful for their participation.

"I was very concerned about the chaos in the United States and the possibility of Trump being re-elected so I went to Randy Woods Studio in September of 2020, and we laid the track in one take.   We can only address angry, hateful and divisive political views by learning to care about one another."
- Jim Balfour

The 'Breathe’ album was recorded primarily at Hygh Wave studio in Green Island, Jamaica with additional instrumentation, mixing and mastering at Randy Woods Studio in Saskatoon, Canada.

The original songs on this album were collaborations with Collin Reid of Hygh Wave studio and performed by some of Jamaica’s finest musicians.

Prior to the recordings Jim was a guest artist at many venues in Negril, JA usually singing the songs of Bob Marley.

The 'In Jamaica’ EP was recorded primarily at Hygh Wave studio in Green Island, Jamaica with additional instrumentation, mixing and mastering at Randy Woods Studio in Saskatoon, Canada.

The original songs on this album were collaborations with Collin Reid of Hygh Wave studio and performed by some of Jamaica’s finest musicians.

Prior to the recordings Jim was a guest artist at many venues in Jegril, JA usually singing the songs of Bob Marley.

'In Jamaica’ reached number two in the world/international category at CFBX radio in Kamloops, BC.