In February, recognised in Jamaica as Reggae Month, singjay/producer Tom “Panic” Jones celebrated a milestone of his own. He and fellow musicians marked the first anniversary of Tuesday Service, a popular weekly session at his venue, a new creative hub, in Kingston known as The Compound. The 1st Anniversary show was held at the Ranny Williams Entertainment Center in Kingston.

What started as a private space for Panic to record music, grew into a hangout for artists and musicians to express and expose their creativity. For most of the last year, resident band Dub Squad would jam with acts who passed through, but the last three months has seen Kabaka Pyramid’s Bebble Rockers Band and Lila Ike’s Word Band dropping in.

“All di musicians you can think of, from today, yesterday an’ tomorrow, they come here. People come to hear live, authentic reggae…I call it coordinated chaos,” said Panic.

Some of reggae’s biggest names have contributed to The Compound’s rise. Artistes such as Jesse Royal, Jemere Morgan, Ras I, Valiant, Maxi Priest, Turbulence, Luciano, Tanya Stephens, and Capleton and many many more have passed through and done impromptu performances. Even Fugees Star Wyclef Jean, visited the Compound in 2024 for the production of a new album by Panic.

Several of them have also utilised other features at The Compound, including three recording studios and a rehearsal room. Panic says his objective is to use the multi-faceted complex, “to expand musical minds.”

That’s been his aim since officially entering the music business during the 1990s, shortly after migrating to the United States. The Kingston-born Panic is a co-founder of John Shop Records, a New York-based company that produced and distributed albums and songs by Sizzla, Yami Bolo, Mega Banton, Sammy Dread and Tanto Metro and Devonte.

The label’s productions had a good run in the tri-state area and Jamaica, but that effectively ended in 2006 when Panic was imprisoned for almost 14 years on Federal charges.

He resumed his recording career after returning to Jamaica, releasing songs like Chase Yuh Dreams and Natty Trodding Through The Earth. Panic has also released an album, 8 29 I Release, inspired by the day his incarceration ended.

April will see the release of White Sand Beach, a collaboration with Lila Ike. It is produced by guitarist Nambi Robinson, son of trombonist Nambo Robinson.

As he tries to establish himself as an artiste, Panic is just as determined to make The Compound a success.

“It haffi grow, things can only get better,” he said.