The Heavenlies gospel band has been around for the past 11 years and during that time the members have tried to remains true to both their faith and the fickle preferences of popular music. Keeping to this formula of relevance and righteousness, they've released their latest album entitled "Next Level." Complete with fold out lyric sheet, it's one of the most well packaged local discs we've ever seen, but more than just packaging, public relations officer Ian Mariano explained that the disc is full of purpose:
Ian Mariano – Public Relations Officer - Heavenlies
"We promise that any member of the family could actually leave it on running and everybody there is something there to edify each and every member within that family's musical taste. We have Dancehall, we have Reggae, hard core Reggae, we have some more slow worship type music and we have Punta. You can't cut an album within Belize and not represent the music that is originally from Belize which is Punta Rock. So there is a variety that we have on the album."
"The CD, the whole idea behind the CD is that it should serve as a peephole within the Belizean society. It addresses different social issues and with that as long as you hear something that you can identify to people tend to sit down and listen. And if you add a good beat to it, come on everybody wants to hear it."
"We were not just catering for the Belizean public we have intentions and actually we are making the right connections to get this thing done, to get it on the international market. So there are certain guidelines that you have to follow if you want to get the project published and that is what we are actually working on."
The Heavenlies will hold a concert to launch their album at the Spiritual Dancehall Revolution Chapter 4 on Saturday at the Bliss.