Stephen Marley‘s 7th studio album “Old Soul” is not what is expected from the son of Reggae King Bob Marley. It is sequenced with refreshing interpretations of old songs from multiple genres such as the blues, pop, bops and reggae classics, done with intelligence, respect and vocal dexterity.
Marley’s last album was 2016’s “Revelation Pt. 2 – The Fruit of Life,” now at age 51 he returns with a clear mission of not being boxed in as a reggae artist. Both the covers and the new tracks on “Old Soul” are done with his usual soulfulness and cadence, but thats as far as expectations go from the multiple Grammy winner. “You have to be true to yourself. I refuse to be put into any category. I am inspired by everything,” he said in a statement.
The exceptional cast of singers to grace the album include, Eric Clapton, Bob Weir, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton, and Slightly Stoopid but the true heroes of this project are the writers who go back to the 1930s.
“Cool As The Breeze” as the lead single did little for the conceptual expectations of the album, but then came “Old Soul,” delivered as a nod to Stephen’s father, written by Billboard chart topper Omi (for his father who died).
Clifton “Specialist” Dillon, Omi’s manager decided that the only person who could sing the song and give it timeless justice is Stephen. So they both drove to the Marley estate in Florida to hand deliver an already completed song. Marley then asked to make some changes to the track with lyrics and added guitars and voila!, it became the title and concept of the album with two released versions.
“April 1972, my mom and poppa brought me through… back then I was the favorite, so they say/ I’m an old soul, living in the body of a 9-year-old / Guess I’ve been here before,” Stephen sings.
Taking on The Beatles 1969 classic “Don’t Let Me Down”, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, to the standard rendition of “These Foolish Things (remind me of you)” written by British broadcaster and entertainer Albert Eric Maschwitz (who was born in 1901 and died in 1969) require audacity and taste on the part Stephen. Doing these covers with a top quality studio production requires professionalism only an experienced producer could pull off.
Stephen even gives Ray Charles a run for his money with his cover of “Georgia on My Mind” written and first recorded in 1930 by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell. Stephen remakes the classics you wish you were around to experience in their time.
On “Winding Roads” Stephen pulls in Bob Weir and Johnson as both writers and performers to ask “How long must we trod these winding roads” and if anything this album teaches that there is a thematic thread that ties the blues, country, pop standard, and reggae together.
Does any of this matter to the casual listener? It will resonate more with those who truly love music.
“Old Soul” is not just another reggae album, it stands as a legacy project made for those who feel like they have been here before, and a tribute to the foundation musicians and writers of music who made their mark with timeless classics.
★★★★☆
“Old Soul” is released by Stephen Marley/Ghetto Youths International.
