Eight-time Grammy winner Stephen Marley has released his first album in 7+ years, Old Soul, featuring contributions from an impressive list of collaborators including Eric Clapton, Bob Weir, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton, and Slightly Stoopid.
While grounded from the road during the COVID lockdown, Stephen set up a new studio on a remote family farm in the Florida countryside, holding nightly jam sessions in a converted garage. With a stripped-down ensemble comprised of binghi drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and flute, Stephen played whatever he felt like, from original compositions and reggae rarities with deep personal meaning to classics recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles. The lion’s share of Old Soul was recorded during these “unplugged” jam sessions.
The 14-song album features, among other highlights, a rendition Joe Higgs‘ “There’s A Reward” featuring his brother Ziggy Marley, “Cast The First Stone” featuring his brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, and an acoustic recreation of his father Bob Marley‘s “I Shot The Sheriff” featuring Eric Clapton, whose 1974 cover of the track became his only U.S. Billboard #1 hit.
The album’s last track, “Winding Roads“, recorded at TRI Studios, is the only song on the album recorded with a full live band and features both Bob Weir and Jack Johnson, plus Weir’s Wolf Bros bandmates Don Was and Jay Lane and Dead & Company‘s Jeff Chimenti.
Hey now! @StephenMarley’s new album #OldSoul is out now. As you can see, we had big fun recording “Winding Roads” together at TRI Studios alongside @JackJohnson, Don Was, Jeff Chimenti, @LuvrzLane, and Barry Sless. Check it out! https://t.co/UYzsXHN0NM pic.twitter.com/W1eUyN6jVS
— Bobby Weir (@BobWeir) September 15, 2023
“You have to be true to yourself,” Marley said of the eclectic project. “I refuse to be put into any category. I am inspired by everything. So if I feel like I want to play some jazz music, I will go play some jazz music. Who dig it, dig it.”
Listen to Old Soul, the new album from Stephen Marley, on the platform of your choice here. or stream it via the Spotify player below. The album is also available to pre-order in CD and vinyl formats here ahead of their December 1st release.
Stephen Marley – Old Soul – Full Album
In celebration of the new album, Marley is currently on the road from the Old Soul Tour -Unplugged 2023 in September and October. Click below to view a full list of tour dates, and visit his website to purchase tickets.
