I happened to swing by the Jaira Awards at the Edna Manley College last night ... albeit after the show.. and I ran into my mentor in the recording field, Steven Stanley. I had heard he was due to receive an award for the work he had done with Tom Tom Club in the early eighties. As he was holding court with a few of the last concert attendees, probably entertaining them with one of his many stories of his experiences as an engineer/producer for Island Records, Sly and Robbie, Black Uhuru, Grace Jones, Wally Badarou and Gwen Guthrie to name just a few.

After I left the Institute of Audio Research in New York and returned to Jamaica and secured a job at Dynamic Sounds in 1984, I found myself in the company of Jamaica's prime musicians and producers of the day. Being 'too green' as an engineer (I didn't even know how to 'punch-out'),  I was quickly replaced by Steven as lead engineer on Black Uhuru's "Anthem" project. As second engineer or 'prento'/ assitant I was given the opportunity to learn from one of the best and made the most of it.

Looking back, i've always acknowledged my learning experience at Dynamic Sounds and the many talented individuals besides Steven who helped shape my career. To name just a few:

• Geoffrey Chung
• Noel Hearne
• Willie Lindo
• Alla from Chalice
• Winston 'Bo Pee'
• Sly and Robbie
• Delroy Wilson

So as I stood there in the empty amphitheatre and watched the crews loading out the equipment and Steven holding court with his award cradled in his arms, I felt glad that these icons were being recognized, yet sad because i realized that the effort failed to impress those it needs to most - the Next Generation of Jamaican Talent.