THE SUNG HAS DROPPED!

 If It Isn’t Luv it must be Sean Jones at his best

By Stephen Weir

What better place to launch a new tune than under the neon palms of the venerable El Mocambo Tavern in downtown Toronto? Early last week, Hamilton’s Sean Jones did just that, stirring up some heavy love emotions as he performed his latest single, "If It Isn’t Luv," featuring Trinidadian-Canadian author and hip-hop artist John Orpheus.

Sean Jones is not only a hot solo artist but also a producer and up and coming actor in a secret film project. At 47, the Caribbean-Canadian (both his parents are from Jamaica) describes his life as “incredibly busy and just getting started.”

“I first made waves in the music industry as a member of In Essence. With hits like 'Friend Of Mine' and 'You Will Never Find,' the group captured the hearts of R&B fans across the globe, earning a Juno Award in 2004,” said Jones. His journey from band member to solo sensation has been extraordinary, with a career that includes his renowned Soul In The City weekly residency at Casa Loma in Toronto.

His new single with his nine-piece band is a smooth nod to the days of yore, particularly the 1988 R&B quintet New Edition’s track "If It Isn’t Love." Jones’ release embraces the soulful grooves of 90s R&B and sings about love and relationships with a 2024 hip-hop twist.

“We brought on John Orpheus to do a rap verse inside If It Isn’t Luv, and it makes a difference,” said Jones. “I love him, and I hope we can do a couple more songs together!”

John Orpheus

Born and raised in South-Central Trinidad, John Orpheus is a multi-talented musician, author, and performance artist. He is the author of two children’s books and the award-winning autobiography Saga Boy.

Sitting on a park bench in Hamilton, watching his daughter play, Jones shared his plans to put together a Christmas soul concert, complete with a 19-piece orchestra, for performances in Hamilton and Pickering. They’ll be performing some great soul classics and, of course, "If It Isn’t Luv."

All of that sounds exciting, but what about his acting career?

“I can’t breathe a word. It’s hush-hush, and it’s very BIG!” Jones says. He has appeared in nearly 20 TV series and films, from Orphan Black to Hero. Will he spill the details on this project? As they say in the entertainment business: Stay tuned.