Old Soul

by Stephen Marley

Overview

The storied reggae artist (and heir to the throne as Bob Marley's second son) Stephen Marley takes a new turn on his fifth solo album Old Soul. After years as a supporting player and behind-the-scenes producer, Marley emerged with solo work in the late 2000s as a powerful hybrid of roots reggae and modernized hip-hop, sometimes speckled with moments of dancehall fun for good measure. Born from nightly acoustic jams at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Old Soul is considerably mellower, matching soft sentiments on love, family, and the circle of life with spare arrangements that float out of the speakers like a gentle breeze. Tunes like the autobiographical title track and the lover's rock-influenced "Standing in Love" (which features a cameo from Slightly Stoopid's Kyle McDonald) keep the percussion and electric instruments to a minimum, making acoustic guitar melodies and sweet vocal harmonies the main focus. Buju Banton contributes to the perky ska number "Thanks We Get (Do Fi Dem)" and there's a reggae foundation to the brooding "Cast the First Stone" (aided by brother Damian Marley), but even these tracks are lighter readings of traditional reggae and reggae-adjacent sounds. Elsewhere, Marley curiously explores whatever style he feels, drifting through jazz standards like "Georgia on My Mind" and "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)" and covering the Beatles' "Don't Let Me Down" before inviting Eric Clapton to join in on lead guitar as they revisit a cover of Marley's father's 1973 hit "I Shot the Sheriff." The lazy ramble of "Winding Roads" closes Old Soul out, sounding more like a folksy, amber-hued jam band tune than anything reggae related. Assistance from the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir and the perpetually affable Jack Johnson enhance the song's laid-back essence, and it's a lovely way to let the thoughtful, even-keeled album naturally decompress. Marley maintains a relaxed energy and a light touch throughout Old Soul, but the songs are built well enough that they feel refreshing and never sleepy. It's a pendulum swing from some of his more intense moments, but the strong material shows his depth as an artist, regardless of the muse he's pursuing. ~ Fred Thomas

Product Details

Release Date:	12/01/2023
Label:	Island
UPC:	0602458262346

Tracks

1. Don't You Believe
2. Cool as the Breeze
3. Cast the First Stone
4. Thanks We Get (Do fi Dem)
5. Don't Let Me Down
6. Georgia on My Mind
7. Let the Children Play
8. Old Soul
9. There's a Reward
10. This Time
11. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
12. I Shot the Sheriff
13. Standing in Love
14. Winding Roads
15. Old Soul [Single Version]

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Stephen Marley   Primary Artist,Drums,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
Jack Johnson   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Bob Weir   Primary Artist,Guitar,Featured Artist
Buju Banton   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Ziggy Marley   Primary Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Slightly Stoopid   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Eric Clapton   Primary Artist,Guitar,Featured Artist
Damian Marley   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Javaughn   Bass
Jeff Chimenti   Keyboards
Kyle McDonald   Vocals (Background)
Magela Herrera   Flute
Ranoy Gordon   Bass,Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Llamar Brown   Piano,Guitar
Keiko Smith   Vocals (Background)
Juan Torres   Saxophone
Chad Bernstein   Trombone
Randy Singer   Harmonica
Karene Brown   Vocals (Background)
Chris Meredith   Bass
Don Was   Bass

Technical Credits

Alan Mitchell   Composer
Clifton Dillon   Composer
Kyle McDonald   Composer
Ranoy Gordon   Composer
Joseph Benjamin Higgs   Composer
Ray Dalton   Composer
Ryan Dillon   Composer
Carnell Harrell   Composer
Omar Pasley   Composer
Stephen Marley   Composer,Producer
Paul McCartney   Composer
Simon Climie   Recording
Bob Marley   Composer
Bob Weir   Composer,Producer
Chris Athens   Mastering Engineer
Jack Strachey   Composer
Jack Johnson   Composer,Producer
John Lennon   Composer
Junior Byles   Composer
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Vadim Canby   Recording
Eric Maschwitz   Composer
James Wisner   Engineer
Mario Caldato, Jr.   Mixing
Mark Myrie   Composer
Damian Marley   Composer
Lee Perry   Composer
Adiambo Riley   Mixing,Composer,Recording
Greg Smith   Composer
Seg Gwey   Composer