Beres Hammond

Beres Hammond, born Hugh Beresford Hammond in Annotto Bay, Jamaica, is one of reggae's most respected vocalists, celebrated especially for his work in the lovers rock style. Raised on his father's collection of American soul and jazz — artists like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding — alongside native ska and rocksteady, he developed a voice defined by warmth, grit, and emotional restraint rather than showmanship.

His career began in the early 1970s, and he found early recognition as lead singer of the band Zap Pow before pursuing a solo path with his 1976 debut album Soul Reggae. Hammond's biggest commercial and artistic success came in the 1990s, when he became a defining voice of romantic reggae, pairing tender balladry with a soulful phrasing that set him apart from the more dancehall-driven sounds of the era.

Songs such as «Tempted To Touch» and «They Gonna Talk» showcase his gift for melody and heartfelt lyricism, while his catalogue reflects decades of steady, prolific output on VP Records. Widely regarded as a foundational figure in lovers rock, Hammond's influence spans generations of reggae and dancehall artists who cite his phrasing and songwriting as a benchmark for the genre's romantic tradition.