Posthumous album from U-Roy set for release
The record features Santigold, Shaggy, Ziggy Marley and more
‘Solid Gold U-Roy’ is a posthumous album coming from the dancehall and dub legend just months after his passing in February.
The record is set for release on July 16 via Trojan Jamaica and BMG records, featuring a track with Santigold released just days ago, ‘Man Next Door’. The song is a cover of the Paragon’s 1960s track of the same name, which U-Roy has previously sampled.
The visual for the track which has also been released which sees U-Roy and Santigold join forces in a separately filmed montage. The late musician was filmed in 2018 before his death, with Santigold’s parts recorded separately after.
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“He was a major pioneer in a genre that influenced me so deeply. And it just so happened that the song I was asked to sing, ‘Man Next Door,’ has been a favourite of mine since I was a little girl,” said Santigold on the new track.
"It felt so special to get to sing that song in particular—I knew the harmonies in my body without having to think for a second—and to hear his voice cutting through, driving the rhythm, drawing us all into his world. What a gift that I got a chance to sing on this track with him. He was one of the greats.”
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U-Roy passed away on February 17 this year at age 78. Trojan Records paid tribute to him, dubbing him a ‘reggae phenomenon’. The musician and DJ was known for pioneering a musical style named toasting, where vocalists would speak over the top of reggae and dancehall music.
‘Solid Gold U-Roy’ releases in July featuring Ziggy Marley, Jesse Royal, Shaggy, Mick Jones and Richie Spice. Watch ‘Man Next Door’ below.
'Solid Gold U-Roy' tracklist:
1. “Trenchtown Rock” (Feat. Ziggy Marley) 2. “Man Next Door” (Feat. Santigold) 3. “Rule The Nation” (Feat. Shaggy) 4. “Tom Drunk” (Feat. Tarrus Riley) 5. “Wake The Town” 6. “Stop That Train” (Feat. Rygin King) 7. “Natty Rebel (Natty Rebel)” (Feat. David Hinds) 8. “Queen Majesty (Chalice In The Palace)” (Feat. Robbie Shakespeare) 9. “Small Axe” (Feat. Jesse Royal) 10. “Wear You To The Ball” (Feat. Richie Spice) 11. “Every Knee Shall Bow (Miseducation)” (Feat. Big Youth & Mick Jones) 12. “Miseducation Every Knee Shall Bow (Scientist Dub)”
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter