From the Bahamas to Kingston: Avaran Records Sunshine After Rain with Jamaica's Reggae Elite

From The Bahamas to Kingston: Avaran Records Sunshine After Rain with Jamaica's Reggae Legends

Some songs begin with a melody. Others begin with a story.

For Bahamian reggae artist Avaran, Sunshine After Rain began with a vision—to record an authentic lovers rock song in the birthplace of reggae alongside some of Jamaica's most respected musicians.

The result is a heartfelt single that celebrates love, healing, and new beginnings while bringing together a remarkable team of musicians and recording professionals whose collective work has helped shape reggae music for generations.

More than a love song, Sunshine After Rain is a celebration of Caribbean musicianship and a musical bridge connecting The Bahamas and Jamaica through a shared passion for authentic reggae music.

A Love Story Told Through Reggae

At its heart, Sunshine After Rain is a classic lovers rock song.

It tells the story of finding hope after heartbreak, discovering love after disappointment, and believing that brighter days always follow life's storms. Just as sunshine breaks through after the rain, genuine love has the power to heal, restore joy, and remind us that every ending can become the beginning of something beautiful.

With heartfelt lyrics, memorable melodies, and warm live instrumentation, Avaran delivers a timeless message that speaks to anyone who has experienced the transforming power of love.

Recorded at the Legendary Anchor Recording Studio

To bring that vision to life, Avaran traveled to Anchor Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica—one of the Caribbean's most respected recording facilities and the creative home of countless reggae classics.

Founded by legendary producer Augustus "Gussie" Clarke, Anchor Recording Studio has welcomed many of reggae's greatest artists and musicians, making it the perfect setting to capture the authentic sound Avaran envisioned for Sunshine After Rain.

Recording in Kingston was never simply about choosing a famous studio.

It was about honoring reggae's birthplace and working alongside musicians whose artistry has influenced generations of listeners around the world.

Jamaica's Reggae Legends Behind the Music

To create Sunshine After Rain, Avaran assembled an extraordinary lineup of Jamaican musicians whose combined careers have helped shape reggae music around the world. Featuring legendary performers whose recordings span roots reggae, lovers rock, and contemporary Jamaican music, the session brought together generations of musical excellence inside Kingston's renowned Anchor Recording Studio.

Errol "Flabba" Holt — Bass Guitar

Legendary bassist Errol "Flabba" Holt provides the unmistakable heartbeat of the recording. As a founding member of the iconic Roots Radics band, Flabba helped define the sound of modern reggae through his work with artists including Gregory Isaacs, Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Israel Vibration, and many others. His rich, melodic bass lines bring warmth, groove, and unmistakable authenticity to Sunshine After Rain.

Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett — Drums

Driving the rhythm is internationally respected drummer Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett, one of Jamaica's premier session musicians. His remarkable career has included recordings and performances with Beres Hammond, Jimmy Cliff, Luciano, Maxi Priest, and numerous international reggae productions.

His tasteful drumming gives the song its smooth lovers rock feel while allowing every lyric to breathe naturally.

Robbie Lyn — Keyboards

One of Jamaica's most accomplished keyboard players, Robbie Lyn has spent more than four decades performing and recording with some of reggae's biggest names. His career includes work with Grace Jones, Black Uhuru, Dennis Brown, Sly & Robbie, and many other internationally recognized artists.

On Sunshine After Rain, his expressive keyboard arrangements add elegance, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

Earl "Chinna" Smith — Guitar

Legendary guitarist Earl "Chinna" Smith brings his unmistakable reggae guitar style and decades of musical excellence to Sunshine After Rain. Widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists in reggae history, Chinna has recorded and performed with Bob Marley & The Wailers, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, Freddie McGregor, Ziggy Marley, Lauryn Hill, and countless other reggae legends.

His tasteful guitar work, deeply rooted in Jamaica's musical traditions, adds warmth, authenticity, and timeless lovers rock character to the recording while reinforcing the song's connection to the rich heritage of reggae music.

Nikki Burt — Backing Vocals

Completing the musical picture are the beautiful harmony vocals of Nikki Burt, one of Jamaica's respected session vocalists. Her rich harmonies add warmth, emotion, and texture throughout the recording, perfectly complementing Avaran's lead vocal and giving the song its lush lovers rock atmosphere.

Together, these remarkable musicians create a recording that reflects the very best of Jamaican musicianship while allowing Avaran's songwriting and vocal performance to remain at the heart of the music.

Bringing the Song to Life

Capturing performances of this caliber required an equally accomplished production team.

The recording sessions were engineered by Delroy "Phatta" Pottinger, one of Jamaica's respected recording engineers, whose ability to preserve the natural energy and chemistry of live musicians has earned him widespread recognition throughout the reggae community.

Completing the production, Sunshine After Rain was mixed and mastered by internationally respected producer, engineer, and recording artist Ed Robinson. Known for his meticulous attention to detail, Robinson's final mix preserves the warmth and emotion of every performance while delivering the polished sound expected of a world-class reggae recording.

From Flabba Holt's unmistakable bass lines and Robbie Lyn's expressive keyboards to Earl "Chinna" Smith's masterful guitar work, Kirk "Kirkledove" Bennett's dynamic drumming, Nikki Burt's soulful harmonies, and Avaran's heartfelt vocals, every performance comes together with exceptional clarity, balance, warmth, and authenticity.

The result is a timeless lovers rock recording that honors Jamaica's rich musical heritage while introducing Avaran's heartfelt songwriting to a global audience.

A Personal Milestone

For Avaran, recording Sunshine After Rain represents far more than another studio session.

It marks an important milestone in a musical journey that began in The Bahamas and led to one of reggae's most respected recording studios in Kingston.

"Recording 'Sunshine After Rain' at Anchor Recording Studio alongside musicians I've admired for years was an unforgettable experience. Every person who contributed to this recording brought not only incredible talent but also a deep respect for reggae music. My hope is that listeners hear that passion in every note and feel the message of love, hope, and new beginnings that inspired this song." — Avaran

More Than a New Single

While Sunshine After Rain stands beautifully on its own, it also offers another glimpse into Avaran's forthcoming album, a project built upon authentic Jamaican musicianship, meaningful songwriting, and a deep respect for reggae's enduring traditions.

The single represents a collaboration between The Bahamas and Jamaica, demonstrating how music continues to unite Caribbean cultures through creativity, shared heritage, and mutual respect.

As listeners discover Sunshine After Rain, they will hear more than a new lovers rock release. They will hear a recording shaped by legendary musicians, crafted by world-class recording professionals, and inspired by the timeless belief that after every storm, there is always sunshine waiting beyond the clouds.

For Avaran, this recording is not simply another song—it is another chapter in a musical journey that has already taken him across the Caribbean and Europe, sharing stages with reggae legends and continuing to build bridges through music.

With the Jamaica Media Tour (July 20 – August 1, 2026) set to introduce Sunshine After Rain to audiences across Jamaica through radio, television, newspapers, podcasts, and digital media, the journey is only beginning.

The future is bright.

The music is timeless.

And after every storm...

...there is always Sunshine After Rain. ☀️🎶