Ossie Dellimore is an artist we know you will want to keep an eye on. He is not only a prolific songwriter and a charismatic performer, but he is also blessed with a voice that many liken to that of the great Peter Tosh. With the upcoming release of "Time Has Come," his first song for Easy Star Records, Ossie is sending a message that it is time for the "truth to start raining down." We say the time has also come for the rise of this powerful new voice in conscious roots music.

"This is the dawning of a new age," Ossie tells us, explaining the origin of the song's title. "People are beginning to be more aware of the truth worldwide, people are realizing that the old way of doing things, the political way that has lasted for centuries that keeps people fighting with each other, cutting each other's throats--it's coming to an end." The simple and direct lyrics of "Time Has Come," as well as the Wailers-influenced musical track, carry this message loud and clear.

Ossie is from the island of St. Vincent and relocated to Brooklyn, New York, in 1981. On November 2, 1990, he won the Caribbean Amateur Night contest at the legendary Apollo Theater. Seven years later to the day, Ossie was in the studio with the Easy Star All-Stars laying down the tracks for his ausipicious debut. In the interim, he has played at venues all over New York City, honing his stage show and songwriting skills. Ossie is a multi-talented instrumentalist, playing guitar, keyboards, bass, harmonica, and bamboo flute. Besides The Wailers, he has been strongly influenced by Lucky Dube, Burning Spear, Israel Vibration and Steel Pulse.

Ossie writes songs in many different styles, but it is most important for him to address the political and social problems confronting mankind. "I have love songs," he says. "But when I meet people on the street and I see the suffering in their faces, I can't help but write a song that relates to them, you know? Maybe they can't articulate it in a way that they can write it down in a poetic fashion, so I'm doing it for them. They're my people so I'm here to serve them in that way."

"People are thirsty, people are longing, they are hungry for real conscious music--something they can really hold on to and would want to listen to over and over again," Ossie tells us. Ossie Dellimore's music will quench that thirst.

The song "Time Has Come" is available on 7" and will be featured on the upcoming compilation CD, Easy Star, Volume I, scheduled for a April 1998 release. Ossie Dellimore is available for interviews by phone or in person. He will also be performing live throughout 2000.

Check out his new CD, Freedom's Journal on sale now.

All photos by Lorna Faverey