In some ways Bitty Mclean, with his non-sexist, non-homophobic, anti-drug views, is antiheses of everything of that reggae/ragga is supposed to currently stand for. Whilist not in any way sanctimonious, his own positive slant on morality comes as something of a relief in the current sea of gangster pap in music (and hypocritical in politics). He grew up listening to classic 60's tunes and the "conscious" lyrics of the 70's that made him learn about the history of Jamaica - everything from Halie Selassie to Trenchtown courtesy of roots masters like Burning Spear. "It was better than growing up listening to people always talking about women's bodies and guns, which has no relevance to the way we live in England", reckons our man with a fresh attitude. bitty's upbeat approach makes for a marked contrast to the current nihilism and desperation evident on some of the records emanating from the ghettos of America. There is no denying the historical influences echoed in his choice of favourite vocalists, early heroes included Leroy Sibbles, The Heptones, Gregory Isaacs, john Holt and Dennis Brown. The underlying theme is back to basics - these classic singers rely on good simple affective melodies, much like Bitty Mclean did in 1994. Even though a lot of the ispiration for Bitty's music comes from Jamaica, his roots are firmly in the West Midlands. Birmingham and Coventry have spawned a lot of reggae music over the years including Steel Pulse, Specials, Selector, Macka B, UB40 and now Bitty Mclean. Mclean points out "the sooner people integrate and get on with it the better." Like his mentors Ub40, Bitty has no time for the type of musical/racial stereotyping that at times restricts black musicians to dance/reggae and white musicians to rock. As far as Bitty is concerned music sees no colour.

After his baptism of fire supporting UB40 on their massively oversubscribed UK tour in early 1994, playing in front of crowds in excess of 15000 each night, he has nothing to fear.

"Music is music and it should be able to touch everybody"