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Chuckle Berry

CURTIS CAMPBELL, STAR Writer

Veteran reggae artiste Chuckle Berry is celebrating the international success of his collaboration with fellow reggae artiste Luciano and is working on a new album.

According to Chuckle Berry, the collaboration called Real Life was first released overseas, which explains its success.

"Real Life came about in Canada. Me and Luciano vibe it in a car and just went to the studio to record it. We sent it to the UK and Europe before Jamaica, and it ended up charting on several charts in Germany, Italy, and France and finally picking up in Jamaica because it charted on Hype TC countdown," he said.

The artiste, who shared a management team with Luciano in the '90s, said he has chemistry with the Lord Give Me Strength singer because of their friendship. He also revealed why his name is popular on the tongues of reggae lovers in Europe.

"From the early days, mi a tour Europe. So that is why I was able to make my name in that market. I would say Europeans are more familiar with my catalogue. I have also done more shows there than in Jamaica, so I get more respect there than Jamaica," he said.

Chuckle Berry is also working on a soon-to-be titled 13-track album, which will be released by 2015. The project will feature roots reggae, dancehall, and R&B songs and will be distributed both digitally and in record stores.

According to the artiste, the trend is now to release albums online, however, he wants copies of his product to sell on tour.

"Is not everybody Internet savvy, so it's good to have tangible copies to sell. I'm also going to release more videos in coming weeks in anticipation of the album," he said.