By Jamaica Observer
SINCE moving permanently from his native Italy to Jamaica in the late 1990s, singer Alborosie has logged countless hours in the recording studio. Much of that time was spent cutting duets with some of dancehall/reggae’s biggest acts.
Some of those songs can be heard on Specialist Presents Alborosie & Friends, a double compact disc to be released today by Greensleeves Records.
The songs were selected by Alborosie and his manager, Clinton ‘Specialist’ Dillon. “It’s like a meal with salt and pepper. It’s tasteful,” said Dillon, who added: “He’s been working with so many people over the years. This album shows he’s no newcomer.”
Alborosie puts a fresh spin on some well-known songs, including the Steel Pulse classic Stepping Out, which he does with the band’s David Hinds.
Other popular covers are Money (with Horace Andy), Guess Who’s Coming (featuring Black Uhuru) and I Can’t Stand it (with Dennis Brown).
There are also updates of The Wailers’ Burnin’ and Looting and Bob Marley’s Natural Mystic, which were done with Marley’s son, Ky- Mani.
Alborosie’s biggest-selling duet, Jah Jah Blessing (with Etana) is also on the set. A 10-track vinyl album of duets with Alborosie, Mykal Rose, The Tamlins, Luciano and Sizzla, will also be released today by Greensleeves.