On Tuesday, Greensleeves Records will release Specialist Presents Alborosie & Friends, a double disc of duets chronicling the ascent of the renowned Jamaican music executive Clifton ‘Specialist’ Dillon and his Sicilian-born reggae virtuoso Alborosie (Alberto D’Ascola).
Specialist is Alborosie’s long-time manager and responsible for the success of other notable reggae acts including Shabba Ranks, Patra, Mad Cobra and Bounty Killer.
Together, they selected Alborosie’s top reggae collaborations recorded over the last five years, many of which were featured on the international reggae star’s last three studio albums (Sound The System, Two Times Revolution and Escape From Babylon).
Greensleeves will issue a 10-track vinyl edition of the compilation also available Tuesday.
Built on his musical ability and production expertise, Alborosie’s reggae is a unique blend of vintage sounds, using old and new technology which underline great songwriting.
Most tracks feature him playing multiple instruments and were recorded at his own Shengen Clan Studio in Kingston, Jamaica.
With songs like Stepping Out featuring David Hinds of Steel Pulse,Money, featuring Horace Andy, Guess Who’s Coming, featuring Black Uhuru, and I Can’t Stand It, featuring Dennis Brown, Alborosie puts his modern-day spin on iconic hits.
Alborosie also recreates Bob Marley classics including Burnin and Lootin and Natural Mystic alongside the reggae legend’s son and recording artiste Ky-Mani Marley.
Mixture of sounds
On his new original recordings, he delivers a diverse blend of deep roots cuts (Meditation, featuring Sizzla, One Sound, featuring Gramps Morgan, Celebration featuring Gentleman and Life featuring Jah Cure), hard-hitting tunes (Murderer featuring Busy Signal and Streets featuring Ky-Mani Marley) and love ballads (Blessings featuring Etana, Is This Love featuring Zoe, I Surrender To Your Love featuring I Eye andCan’t Let You Go featuring Nikki Burt).
With his ceaseless worldwide tour schedule, Alborosie will head to Europe in July and August for select dates. For the most up-to-date schedule, visit www.facebook.com/OneAlborosie.