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Old Soul
Old Soul in Bloomington, MN
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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,
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,
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
's father's 1973 hit "I Shot the Sheriff." The lazy ramble of "Winding Roads" closes
out, sounding more like a folksy, amber-hued jam band tune than anything reggae related. Assistance from
the Grateful Dead
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.
maintains a relaxed energy and a light touch throughout
, 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
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,
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,
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
's father's 1973 hit "I Shot the Sheriff." The lazy ramble of "Winding Roads" closes
out, sounding more like a folksy, amber-hued jam band tune than anything reggae related. Assistance from
the Grateful Dead
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.
maintains a relaxed energy and a light touch throughout
, 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
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