L&S SymfHoney

L&S SymfHoney is a Jamaican roots reggae and lovers rock duo formed by sisters Lydia and Shema Sutherland. Raised in a musical family and based in Jamaica, the sisters developed their close vocal harmonies long before recording together professionally. Their songs draw on family experiences, relationships, faith and social issues, combining the warmth of lovers rock with conscious roots reggae.

Their parents, Ijahman Levi and Madge Sutherland, recorded I Do, which reached number one on the British reggae chart in the 1980s. Shema was born in London around the period of that recording. Although their parents' music was an important influence, the sisters have spent much of their career developing recordings of their own.

Early Years

At the Queen's School in Kingston, Lydia and Shema sang in the school choir under Michael Sutherland, a choirmaster associated with the Jamaica Folk Singers. The experience helped them develop their understanding of harmony and vocal arrangements. They later reached the finals of Jamaica's Tastee Talent Contest as L&S. They describe their partnership through their lifelong motto, Sistaz on a Muzikal Journey.

Growing up, they listened to the reggae and lovers rock played at home, particularly recordings from the 1980s. They also learned to work together musically, building harmonies around each other's voices. Lydia developed her piano playing, while Shema played guitar, skills that would become increasingly valuable to their songwriting and production.

Out of Many… One Sound

Recording as L&S, their early work included Far Far Away, produced in 2006 by Fams House Music, a production outfit associated with the sons of Aston 'Family Man' Barrett. In 2008, the sisters collaborated with Jamaican guitarist Ernest Ranglin on Mr. Music Man, released on the Ranglin & Friends album through the Dubtonic label.

Their 17-track debut album, Out of Many… One Sound, followed in 2009 through their independent Malyshe Productions label. Co-produced with engineer Daniel Singer, the album took inspiration from Jamaica's national motto, 'Out of Many, One People', and brought together songs about love, relationships and social concerns. Around its release, they adopted the name L&S SymfHoney, representing the 'sweet music' they aim to create.

The sisters also recorded their own version of their parents' I Do, bringing a familiar family song into their own catalogue. Elsewhere, Mr. & Miss Injustice addressed social issues, while Sweet JahMekYah Come Together featured guitar from Dwight Pinkney and drums from Deleon 'Jubba' White. Songs such as Perfect Symphony and When the Sun Becomes the Moon reflected the more melodic, lovers rock side of their music.

A 2010 review noted the album's occasional pop and zouk influences, reflecting the sisters' interest in styles beyond traditional roots reggae.

Time Away and Development

After their debut, Lydia and Shema stepped back from recording and performing while concentrating on family life, work and other interests, including authorship. Their break from releasing music did not mean they had stopped creating it. They continued developing songs and learning more about arranging and producing.

Working with computer-based rhythms alongside live instrumentation became part of their approach. The sisters also took a more active role in composing and arranging their material, with plans to record the music as they had originally imagined it.

Return to the Studio

In 2026, L&S SymfHoney returned to the studio to work on their second album, planned for release in 2027. The project draws on songs written over more than two decades and places the sisters in charge of composition and arrangements. Their label now operates as Malyshe Productions and Publications, combining the names Madge, Lydia and Shema and reflecting plans to publish written works alongside music.

For the new album, the sisters have worked with musicians from different generations of Jamaican reggae. Contributors include bassists Errol 'Flabba' Holt and Daniel 'Axeman' Thompson, alongside guitarist Vernon DaCosta. The sessions have also involved engineer Earl Smith Jr.

Their planned lead single, Living Our Dream, is scheduled for late 2026 and features their mother, Madge Sutherland, who contributed vocals and songwriting after years supporting her daughters' careers. The recording brings together Lloyd 'Obeah' Denton on piano and organ, Wayne Armond on guitar, Prince Manning on drums and Dale Haslam on bass, with Lydia contributing synthesiser. Delroy 'Fatta' Pottinger engineered the recording, which was mixed by Daniel Singer.

The sisters have also shared studio footage for Perfect SymfHoney, a remake of Perfect Symphony from their debut album. This new version was recorded with live instrumentation, including Shema on acoustic guitar. Nearly two decades on from their debut, Lydia and Shema are returning with songs developed during their years away, taking a greater role in shaping their recordings while retaining the close vocal harmonies that have characterised their music since childhood.