Riley’s fifth full-length album is rock steady-heavy and stellar
Zanj Radio | Monday, February 17, 2014
- Tarrus Riley(R) and Dean Fraser(L) perform at Amazura Hall in New York – Feb. 9, 2014
Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser Talk Love Situation here
International reggae star Tarrus Riley has a new album, music lovers; you should listen to it. It’s called Love Situation, and it puts a modern twist on the sounds of rock steady – an original Jamaican music genre known as ‘lovers rock’ in some places. Love Situation has, since its February 4 release, debuted at number one on the U.S. iTunes Reggae Chart and Billboard Reggae Chart. Zanj Radio spoke with Tarrus Riley and Dean Fraser, renowned saxophonist and the lead album producer, in New York last week.
We discussed the success of Love Situation, their favorite tracks on it and how it came to be. We found out who first encouraged Tarrus to sing professionally, why Dean Fraser and Tarrus work together, and whether Tarrus is still “searching, waiting, hoping, praying” for his Dream Woman (we had to ask, with all these love songs he’s singing). Check out the interview above.
Although Love Situation is rock steady-heavy, it is diverse. It features rap (Mr. Cheeks) and dancehall (Konshens) artistes, and we hear musical narratives from mellow Tarrus (Thank You), exasperated Tarrus (Cum Get Your Ish) and sultry Tarrus (Burning Desire).
Maybe you’ve already listened to Love Situation, because not only has the album topped iTunes and Billboard charts, the current U.S. album tour has drawn full crowds at each stop. We love all 17 tracks (some are catchy skits), but we do have favorites: 1 2 3 I Love You, One Drop Remix (warning, this track might make you dance in public), Cum Get Your Ish, Special Occasion (feat. Whippa Demus) and Five Days (feat. Big Youth & Mr. Cheeks) are on replay. Which tracks do you love?
