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HEAVEN IS THE ISLE OF WIGHT

By Jon Moreno - Tuesday, May 13, 2008
HEAVEN IS THE ISLE OF WIGHT
Caribbean singer Derek Sandy has adopted the Island as his home.
POPULAR reggae and soul singer Derek Sandy has been made to feel so at home since he moved from the Caribbean he wants to give something back to the Island by helping to promote it with a song from his new album.
The 45-year-old, who hails from Tobago and who once performed with an act as a support to legends Bob Marley, Lionel Richie, Eddie Grant and Billy Ocean, is putting the final production touches to his new album Dancing In Heaven.
Derek, of Belvedere Street, Ryde, who moved to the Island about six years ago, is confident his third album will make him a household name, not just on the Island but in the UK and beyond.
Dancing In Heaven, recorded in a mini studio in Wellington Road, Ryde, comprises 12 tracks, all penned by Derek, with the music jointly arranged with fellow Ryde man, musician Jonathan Parkman.
The album is Derek’s first with all original material and is full of songs which express emotions on all levels.
“I always wanted to do this album and want this to go big all over the Island and all over the world. The music is beautiful and will appeal to everyone of all ages. It’s a special album, a magnificent album,” he said.
One song that has Derek particularly enthusiastic is Welcome To The Island.
“I’m going to promote the Island with this song and this album. It is such a lovely Island, so green and healthy and the people are wonderful and laid back. This song is a thank you to the Island and its people for making it feel like home.”
Derek, who said making the album has renewed his zest for life following major personal difficulties, is set to make a DVD on the Island to accompany Welcome To The Island in the coming weeks.
He will be launching the album with a special gig at the Ponda Rosa, Ashey, next Friday, May 23.
Derek is currently getting a lot of airplay and backing on IW Radio. “If this album ever made it big in Tobago I would feel like the king of England,” he enthused.