Stephen Marley’s Outstanding Old Soul
Stephen “Ragga” Marley is on a mission, and he’s succeeding one album at a time. The mission is clear; make outstanding music that effortlessly blurs the lines between reggae and other genres, because after all, Jamaica’s music, is life’s music; influenced by the best the world has to offer, and influencing the same. His latest release, Old Soul, is perhaps the most outstanding showcase of Stephen Marley’s musicianship, innovation, and highly-regarded production skills. This album is a breath of fresh acoustic air from the first track to the last.
Old Soul, is Marley’s tribute to the music and people that preceded and launched his generation’s musicality. Several tracks like There’s a Reward, Thanks We Get (Do Fi Dem), and I Shot The Sheriff are over 50 years old with takes on themes that are relevant today. Marley’s approach to the cover tracks featured on the album kept the original arrangements and transformed the songs with a soulful depth that sometimes surpasses the originals. For example, on Don’t Let Me Down, Ragga gives the listener a glimpse of his versatile, sweet side and does what Whitney Houston did to Dolly Parton’s I’ll Always Love You–but with a rock-steady groove.
All tracks on the album have a stirring yearn. One cannot help but feel and hear Ragga mourning the recent loss of his son, Jo Mersa – who transitioned to ancestry at an age even more tender than his famous grandfather.
When the wind blows
I can hear your voice
Coming through the clouds
And when the sun shines
I can see your smile…
You’re with me every dayCool As The Breeze, Stephen Marley
A seasoned and well-connected musician, Marley’s album came together with a little help from his rock star friends. Don Was, Bob Weir, his brothers Ziggy and Damian, Jack Johnson, Buju Banton, and Eric Clapton are featured guests. During Ragga’s tour to promote the album, some of these friends and family popped by to support Marley, but mostly, concertgoers were mesmerized by the acoustic set with Kateri Farrell accompanying on flute. At the tour’s stop in Silver Spring, MD, one band member shared that the tour was “emotional” at times because Marley was mourning the loss of his son, Joseph Mersa, and fan support for Stephen was palpable. “Music heals”, Marley would say between songs, and yes, it was a balm to hear the acoustic tracks live.
The production of the tour was as impeccable as the recorded tracks, with the flutist adding an ethereal vibe – channeling the energy of the original Tuff Gong, Bob Marley, who also played the flute.
A Grammy and multi-award-winning musician, Stephen Marley has nothing to prove, yet he does; good music is timeless, connects genres, and heals. Whether you’re a fan or new to Stephen Marley’s music, Old Soul is an outstanding work that should help raise the standard for roots rock reggae, and affiliated genres like country, and soul.