WHO IS KALVIN KRISTI:

Kalvin Kristi's journey began several years ago, in rural St. Andrew Jamaica. Where his father Alty Christie etched out a living on the fertile soil around Brandon Hill. The younger Christie realized early on, that farming was not for him, so he left the hills behind, to join his mother, and brothers in Jamaica's capital, Kingston.

In the city he worked in building construction, where he was often seen singing on job sites during breaks, as the shouts of coworkers urged him on : "Gwaan Singy Singy!" they exclaimed, as he entertained them during the days. With strong desire in his heart, and the backing of the construction crew in his head. Kalvin began singing on sound systems like 'Black Love', where selectors would play the B sides of 45 rpm vinyl records, which contained instrumental versions of popular songs, the perfect accompanyment for singers to test their skills. These were the beginnings of Kalvin Kristi's training as a performer.

It was a common routine for up and coming talent to hang around Kingston's recording studios, in the hope of being able to do dub plates for sound systems, or record songs for popular producers. But Kalvin was cut from a different cloth, since he saved his money, bought 24 track tapes, and booked his own studio time. It was during this period that he encountered well known music producers Donavon Germaine of 'Penthouse Records', and Gussie Clarke of 'Music Works,' whose studios were located on Slipe Road, just across from each other. Also present at the time were Dancehall pioneers Steelie and Cleavie, who layed tracks for Germaine, while a certain apprentice engineer called Dave Kelly manned the board.

Shortly after this, Kalvin took a job as a stevedore on the port of Kingston, one of the largest transhipment operations in the region. Soon after his arrival, he was voted union delegate, and sent to receive specialized training in leadership, dispute resolution, and collective bargaining. He rose among the ranks quickly to become one of the leading players on the port, participating in major negotiations at The Ministry of Labour, and a commission of enquiry at The Jamaica Conference Center.

In the fall of September 1999, Kalvin touched down at Kennedy International with all band members which included : Barry Gray, Robert 'Marky' Sutherland, Wilkie Powell, Eugene 'Dr Zeng' Hamilton, Robert Mavour, and co-exective producer Clifford McRae. Armed with the driving force of the 'Higher Ground' CD, the band rehearsed the material, and unleashed it upon clubs such as 'The Lion's Den, 'Arlene's Grocery', CBGBs, and Hard Rock Cafe. Sadly, at the point when they began generating the same buzz they did in Jamaica, the brand broke up in 2000. But the dream did not die, it only reshaped itself ...