“Marley is a gifted singer-songwriter and producer largely unafraid of taking his own path…Old Soul mixes earnest originals with unusual adaptations, delivered with candid sincerity and tongue-in-cheek humour…” – Mojo

“Wistfulness. Empathy. Awe. Love. Tenderness. Hope. Stephen Marley’s new album Old Soul both conveys and evokes a w.e.a.l.t.h. of emotions, raw and direct and undiluted. Its conception as acoustic oeuvre is a masterstroke, making it stand out like a giant sequoia tree among the scrub of all those entirely digital productions flooding the world of music today.” – Reggaeville.com

With a brand new album out in the world, a big heart to share through song and on stage, and a respect for artists of all kind, this old friend of ours is deserving of everything positive coming his way.” – The Aquarian

1 DECEMBER 2023 (TORONTO, ON) – Stephen Marley, the acclaimed 8x GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, marks a momentous return with the release of Old Soul, his first full-length project in seven years, available now in all formats including digital, CD, standard black 2LP vinyl, and a limited-edition double LP vinyl in stunning translucent yellow and green discs. This much-anticipated album, released by Tuff Gong Collective/UMe/Ghetto Youths International, boasts a star-studded lineup of special guests featuring music legends including Eric Clapton, Bob Weir, Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Buju Banton, and Slightly Stoopid. Fans can listen to Old Soul or order the album BELOW.

The release of “Winding Roads” follows two previous singles, “Old Soul” and “Cool As The Breeze.” A retrospective music video for the album’s title track, “Old Soul,” released earlier this summer, features unseen family images and a montage of Jamaican musical heritage. The song carries listeners through Stephen’s evolution, intertwined with the Marley legacy wrapped up in a warm acoustic narrative. Lyrics such as “April 1972, my mom and poppa brought me through, back then I was the favourite, so they say,” give a nod to his lineage and early years. Initially penned by Jamaican artist Omi, Stephen adapted the song to reflect his own journey, suggesting a familiarity with past life experiences and echoing his father’s sentiments, such as mental freedom and unity. Get lost in the imagery of the official music video for “Old Soul” BELOW.

The release of “Winding Roads” follows two previous singles, “Old Soul” and “Cool As The Breeze.” A retrospective music video for the album’s title track, “Old Soul,” released earlier this summer, features unseen family images and a montage of Jamaican musical heritage. The song carries listeners through Stephen’s evolution, intertwined with the Marley legacy wrapped up in a warm acoustic narrative. Lyrics such as “April 1972, my mom and poppa brought me through, back then I was the favourite, so they say,” give a nod to his lineage and early years. Initially penned by Jamaican artist Omi, Stephen adapted the song to reflect his own journey, suggesting a familiarity with past life experiences and echoing his father’s sentiments, such as mental freedom and unity.

Take a reflective respite with the recently released visualizer for the second single, the acoustic-folk rock masterpiece, “Cool As The Breeze,” wherein Marley’s raw emotions are palpable, with his soothing lyrics resonating more profoundly with each subsequent listen. As he soulfully sings, “When the wind blows, I can hear your voice,” and “And when the sun shines, I can see your smile,” Marley encapsulates the sentiment of those who have experienced loss or separation from a loved one, providing solace by making them feel eternally close. Until we reunite once more, the song beautifully conveys this enduring connection. Watch the “Cool As The Breeze” visualizer on Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel HERE.

Get lost in the imagery of the official music video for “Old Soul” and the “Cool As The Breeze” visualizer on Stephen Marley’s Official YouTube Channel, HERE.

Old Soul comes as a complete revelation and explores a musical palette that spans a variety of cultures and genres alike, with hand-selected special guests furthering the spiritual journey that encompasses the album. 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 comprising binghi drums, bass, acoustic guitar, and flute, Stephen played whatever he felt like — ranging from original compositions and reggae rarities with deep personal meaning to classics recorded by Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, and The Beatles. “Irie vibration,” Stephen says of the sounds made together on the farm. The lion’s share of Old Soul was recorded during these “unplugged” jam sessions.

The song selection on the album demonstrates Stephen’s courage to defy expectations. “You have to be true to yourself,” he says. “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.”

Stephen and his elder brother Ziggy collaborate on “There’s A Reward,” a heartfelt tribute to Joe Higgs, who mentored young Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer when they were all aspiring singers in Trenchtown. Meanwhile, Stephen’s younger brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley features on “Cast The First Stone,” a commanding, thought-provoking tune set to an ominous groove that sounds like something from a lost spaghetti Western soundtrack.

Stephen enlists his old friend Buju Banton on the ska-flavored “Thanks We Get (Do Fi Dem),” a Lee “Scratch” Perry composition made famous by Junior Byles that explores the idea that no good deed goes unpunished. Eric Clapton laces up tasty lead guitar riffs over a powerful acoustic version of Bob Marley’s “I Shot The Sheriff,” a song Clapton initially helped to immortalize. And Kyle McDonald of Slightly Stoopid joins on a verse on “Standing In Love,” a beautiful ballad that hearkens back to reggae’s sweet rocksteady era.

Among the more unexpected selections embedded on Old Soul is a disarmingly sweet cover of Sinatra’s “These Foolish Things (Reminds Me Of You),” which highlights an addition of a ska beat, a walking bass line, and Marley’s lyrical touches that make it more personal, as well as a take on The Beatles’ perpetually pleading “Don’t Let Me Down” in which Marley incorporates bright, shiny harmonies and an energetic guitar groove.

After completing two hugely successful tours supporting Old Soul in 2023, Stephen is gearing up to hit the road again for his next round of shows. Later this week, Stephen will be hitting the seas for the “Welcome To Jamrock Reggae Cruise” out of Miami, FL, and then in early 2024, Stephen will be joining his brother, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, on a select number of festival dates including Cali Vibes Fest, Lake Tahoe Reggae Fest, and Reggae Rise Up Florida.

STEPHEN MARLEY: TOUR DATES

2023:
12.04-09 – Welcome to Jamrock Reggae Cruise 2023 – Miami, FL

2024:
02.16 – Cali Vibes Fest (with Damian “Jr Gong” Marley) – Long Beach, CA
02.17 – Lake Tahoe Reggae Fest (with Damian “Jr Gong” Marley) – Stateline, NV
03.17 – Reggae Rise Up Florida (with Damian “Jr Gong” Marley) – St. Petersburg, FL

For more information on all upcoming tour dates, click BELOW.