Beres Hammond in Charlotte, N.C. GBurkeImages Photo
Beres, born Hugh Beresford Hammond on August 28, 1955, in Annotto Bay, St. Mary is a product of his musical upbringing. He was greatly influenced by American acts like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding, whose records his father would play.
But he was also tuned in to Jamaica’s vibrant ska and rocksteady genres, particularly music by Alton Ellis, another Jamaican icon; along with Peter Tosh, the Heptones, and Ken Boothe.
After performing in local contests in the early 70s, Hammond took his talent to the vinyl, in his first recording of Ellis’ “Wanderer”. Soon after, in 1975, he became the lead for the band Zap Pow, which dropped the ’78 single “The System”.
Yet it was his solo career, which he explored while in the band, that brought his the most recognition. He dropped his debut album Soul Reggae, in 1976. Of course, his indelible hit at the time was the ballad, "One Step Ahead," a staple at old hits parties today.
Leaving the band behind in 1979, Hammond recorded his second solo project Just a Man in 1980, and in 1981 dropped Comin' at You.
Hammond formed his own record label Harmony Records in 1985, which churned out two of his biggest hits, the first two singles, "Groovy Little Thing" and "What One Dance Can Do”.
For a number of years, Hammond moved to New York, where he continued to record, but returned to Jamaica and released the anthem “Putting up a Resistance” in 1989. But it was 1990s “Tempted to Touch” which really put him on the international stage, especially in the U.S. and the UK.
The 1990s saw more albums from Hammond like Sweetness in 1993; In Control, in 1994, Love From a Distance in 1996. He released more albums in that decade but took a break before returning to the studio in 2001 to record Music Is Life, featuring Wyclef Jean. His 2004 release Love Has No Boundaries featured reggae artiste Buju Banton. In 2008, Hammond released A Moment in Time with the single “I Feel Good”.
So when he hits the stage at the Hard Rock Live, Hollywood on July 23, fans can expect him to bring it home.
