Marcia Griffiths reunites with Sean Lewis Folkes

His latest project is the song, ‘When You Love Me’, by Marcia Griffiths. It was released on June 5 by his South Florida-based LF label.

The single reunites Lewis Folkes with Griffiths, one of reggae’s most durable artistes who celebrates her 77th birthday in November. Although he previously produced songs for her, those recordings were never released.

Working with someone whose catalogue of hit singles is traced to the 1960s can be intimidating. But that was not the case with Griffiths.

“She’s prepared yet intuitive, refining melodies to serve the message,” Lewis Folkes noted. “Her calm focus in the studio ensures authenticity, grounding each project in cultural integrity and artistic purpose.”

On ‘When You Love Me’, Griffiths was backed by the Code Red Band, one of the top backing units in South Florida.

Unlike some veteran acts who insist on recording to hip beats to attract a contemporary audience, Lewis Folkes said that was not the approach he took with her.

“With Marcia Griffiths, it is never classic versus current. You serve both,” he stated. “You preserve the classic by respecting the ingredients. You make it current by cooking for today’s ears, you are not chasing trends. You are translating feelings.”

Born in rural Jamaica, Lewis Folkes migrated to the United States in his teens, and served in its military. His resume as a producer includes songs by established artistes such as Ed Robinson, Luciano, Screwdriver and Pressure Busspipe, from the United States Virgin Islands.

He has also collaborated with upcoming acts in Jamaica and South Florida.

When Lewis Folkes got involved in the music business during the 1990s, Griffiths was on the fourth phase of her remarkable career. Along with Beres Hammond, Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder and Cutty Ranks, she made Penthouse Records one of that decade’s most successful companies with hits like ‘I Shall Sing’, ‘Land of Love’ and ‘Live On’.

Her career took off in the mid-1960s as a rocksteady act at Studio One where she was mentored by producer Clement Dodd and singer-songwriter Bob Andy.

‘Feel Like Jumping’, ‘Mark my Word’ and ‘Really Together’ (with Andy) were some of her biggest hits at Studio One. In the 1970s, she toured the world as a member of The I Three, Bob Marley’s harmony trio.

During that decade, she recorded several classic hit singles including ‘Dreamland’ and ‘Stepping outa Babylon’ for producer Sonia Pottinger. Bunny Wailer wrote ‘Electric Boogie, her best-selling song, which was released in 1982.