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Escape From Babylon –
Alborosie’s debut album on
Greensleeves Records was
released in the UK in June of
2009. The U.S. version of the
album will include six
additional tracks and will be
released under the name Escape
From Babylon To The Kingdom Of
Zion. This album is the
realisation of this rising
reggae star’s calling as a
consummate singer / songwriter.
A virtuoso from a very early
age, Alborosie’s story starts in
Italy where at 15 he becomes a
founding member of a reggae band
called Reggae National Ticket.
Signed to BMG Italia, they
enjoyed huge success and record
sales in excess of 200,000
units.
Already wanting to leave his
“Italian Babylon” Alborosie
decided to quit the band, get
rid of all his possessions and
move to Jamaica. Looking to find
a place he could call his
spiritual home, Alborosie
immersed himself more fully into
the music, the people, the vibe
and culture of the island.
“My destiny was to follow a
journey similar to the early
days of many great talents and
musical legends before
me”.
It was tough at the beginning.
Alborosie found work in a studio
working as a mixing engineer but
struggled for a few years
despite gaining a lot of
experience. A chance meeting
with Gee Street Records founder,
Jon Baker led to a steady gig as
house engineer and producer for
Jon’s Geejam Studios in Port
Antonio, Portland, Jamaica.
While at Geejam Alborosie became
an ‘in‐demand’ producer for
several international artists
and remixing music for J
Records, Mario, Angie Stone,
UB40, Manu Chao and Les Nubians
(Virgin) to name a few.
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Alborosie then embarked on
making a name for himself as a reggae artist. Alborosie’s
self‐penned singles “Herbalist” and “Kingston Town” released in
2008 did well in Jamaica and across the waters in the UK with
strong radio support. A tour followed where Alborosie headlined
major festivals in Europe (Rototom, Uppsala etc). Meanwhile back
in Jamaica artists were queuing up to work with him. He released
“Call On Jah” and “Rastafari Anthem” in late 2008 and
collaborated with some of the island’s biggest artists including
Luciano, Michael Rose, Morgan Heritage, Ky‐Mani Marley, Jah
Cure, Beenie Man and most recently with Etana on the superb
“Blessings”.
On his new album Escape From Babylon To The Kingdom Of Zion,
Alborosie offers an exceptional album paying respect to his
heroes from Reggae’s golden age (Black Uhuru, Burning Spear,
Steel Pulse and Bob Marley) and infusing this timeless music
with a touch of modern roots and dancehall. The lead single
“Stepping Out” features David Hinds from the famed reggae band
Steel Pulse. They are informing everyone that the Rasta Man is
stepping out and coming to the world. The song “Mama She Don’t
Like You” is a humorous ska laden track with enough feel good
elements for a great crossover summer hit. “One Sound”, a
collaboration with Gramps from Morgan Heritage offers a powerful
yet simple message: “One Love, One Heart, One Sound, One
Destiny”. Displaying his versatility on “Blue Movie Boo”,
Alborosie gives us a peek into his erotic side with this song
and video that uses an updated version of the classic trailer
load of girls riddim from Shabba Ranks. Included on the 2009
One‐Drop Anthems album, the successful track “Humbleness” speaks
to those that are blinded by the power they possess. The closing
track is the thought‐provoking “America,” Alborosie sings about
power, globalization and war set against an upbeat rockers
rhythm. Escape From Babylon To The Kingdom Of Zion is produced
by Alborosie and C. “Specialist” Dillon and stands as a classic
album in the making with lush production and heartfelt song
writing. Just like Bob Marley and Burning Spear before him
Alborosie hopes to join the pantheon of Reggae artists that have
won a Grammy not from publicity and hype but from heartfelt song
writing and simple beautiful music.
Listen to the music of Alborosie
Alborosie
Links:
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