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Throughout his career, Jamaican singer and Rastafari warrior, Richie Spice has made music that reflects the times we live in and the times to come. His forthcoming album, Together We Stand (out 12th June 2020 on VP Records) is no different. At a time when millions across the world are experiencing isolation, standing against racial injustice and facing the loss of loved ones and economic devastation resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, new music to uplift, inspire and endure is a precious gift. Across fifteen compelling new tracks, Richie Spice on Together We Stand delivers on all fronts.
Recorded at various studios in Kingston, Jamaica, including the Marley family’s Tuff Gong studio, and featuring guest spots from Chronixx and Dre Island, as well as production by veterans Clive Hunt, Stephen Stanley and Element Music Group (formerly 5th Element), Together We Stand sees Richie continue his mission to define roots reggae for a contemporary audience.
Take the she soulful and gospel-infused title track. Produced by the legendary Clive Hunt, Together We Stand took on heightened relevance as the theme tune of the recent Covid-19 relief Telethon Jamaica #TogetherWeStand Broadcast on Jamaica’s national TV network TVJ, featuring performances by some of reggae’s biggest acts including Gyptian and Koffee, Richie Spice helped to raise over $300,000 for personal protective equipment for Jamaica’s healthcare and frontline workers.
Reflecting on a career spanning over two decades and his latest collection of trailblazing roots reggae music, the Rastafarian singer/songwriter acknowledges, “My responsibility is to use the talent God gave me as an instrument to uplift. This album comes with a difference”
Born Richell Bonner in St. Andrew, Kingston, Richie Spice hails from a musical family that includes his older brother Pliers (from the deejay/singer duo Chaka Demus and Pliers of Murder She Wrote fame), singer Spanner Banner and deejay Snatcher Dogg. To date Spice has released eight LPs including four albums for VP Records. Spice’s unique brand of roots reggae is characterized by his versatile vocals that can deliver the romantic boomshot-like stylings of Brown Skin, the righteous militancy of the rebellious, Youths Dem Cold, and the ancestral mystical lyricism of Where There’s A Will.
All Spice’s recordings signed by his famously idiosyncratic, “Nana nana nana na” flourish.
Guided by the principles of his Rastafari lifestyle, Spice’s lyrics rail against injustices and the plight of the oppressed, implore assistance for the youth and extend maximum respect to the ladies. Spice muses “It is all about righteousness, and endorsing the love of the people, good over evil and life over death.”
Having delivered conscious hit songs for over two decades, Spice presents a powerful, unified message we can all take from at this current time. Together We Stand musically presents to you, the love and togetherness of humanity, the protection of nature, the love and respect for women, and advocating for the youths through social welfare and the true teachings of Jah. On Together We Stand, Spice resumes his position as the roots reggae messenger of this generation.
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