Stephen Marley linked up with Bob Weir and Jack Johnson for the journey down the “Winding Roads” of his latest single. The track appears on the reggae heir’s first full-length album since 2016, Old Soul, out September 15th via Tuff Gong Collective/Ghetto Youths International.
Built for the titular “Winding Roads”, the new single is a natural traveling tune as Marley, Weir, and Johnson trade off verses that end with the same question, “How long must we drive these windy roads?” The three musicians’ unique styles all blend together into a heady brew as Bobby’s haggard bluesy delivery melds with Johnson’s laid-back folksy croon, while Marley’s reggae sway holds the center of the track. “Winding Roads” is the only track on Old Soul recorded with a full band, employing Weir’s Wolf Bros backing outfit featuring bassist Don Was, drummer Jay Lane, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti.
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The collaborative “Winding Roads” is emblematic of the stylistically eclectic Old Soul. With contributions from Eric Clapton, Stephen’s brothers Ziggy and Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Kyle McDonald (Slightly Stooped), and more, the album takes the form of the “unplugged” jam sessions that got Stephen through the COVID pandemic. Amid the global live music shutdown, Stephen began hosting impromptu jam sessions in his garage, with the majority of Old Soul recorded in that same environment. That no-pressure feel resulted in a varied and relaxed album, mixing original compositions with reggae deep cuts and classic compositions from Ray Charles, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Stephen’s father Bob Marley.
“We definitely did want some different sounds,” Stephen said of the album. “We never want to come with the same ray ray ray. We try to make some of them something you can’t really identify. Ah, just music.”
Check out the new Stephen Marley single “Winding Roads” featuring Bob Weir and Jack Johnson. Old Soul is available here for pre-order. Stephen is set to begin the Old Soul Tour Unplugged tonight, September 8th, in Indianapolis, IN. For tickets and a full list of tour dates visit his website.
Stephen Marley, Bob Weir, Jack Johnson – “Old Soul”
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