OLDIES SUNDAY: Neville Martin – The Message (1976)

On September 3, Jamaica will be a part of another General Election. The Jamaica Labour Party, the People’s National Party, and Independent parties will vie for the top spot, which will be made possible by the voting public. This platform WILL NOT tell you who to vote for, but we will provide music that reflected on this grand (and stressful) event. On “Oldies Sunday” today, we’d like to highlight music that aided in or was a part of previous Elections. Today, we look back at Neville Martin’s “The Message“.

Produced by Clancy Eccles and released through Clan Disc/Clancy Records in 1976, Neville Martin delivered something that the people needed to hear in, “The Message”. Released 2 weeks before the 1976 Jamaican General Election, Martin shared that his choice for leadership was all Jamaican, had the right ideas for progress, and was for the people. Martin’s song praised the works on the People’s National Party, which was lead by Michael Manley, as they implemented a number of projects that helped to advance the Island since the party’s victory in the 1972 Elections. The song quickly became popular for not only Martin, but Eccles, as they were closely aligned with the PNP, and it helped to sway the voting public into investing in the PNP, as the party wasn’t performing well in the polls. The PNP would go on to win the Election, and hold the seats until losing power to the JLP in 1980.

Neville Martin’s “The Message” continues to hold a significant place in the PNP’s music catalogue, and can be heard during their political rallies over the years. Both the PNP and JLP have their share of anthems, but “The Message” has always been a stand out track. Whoever you vote for on September 3, make sure it’s the right choice.

Check out the track below, and share with a friend. Show us some love/follow us on Twitter, TikTok, Threads, and Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.