Mellow moods from Richie Spice on Soothing Sounds: Acoustic

Roots reggae singer Richie Spice takes his music to another level with the release of his highly anticipated sixth album, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic.

Touted as a collector’s item, this acoustic set is a one-off departure from Spice’s norm, and, on a broader scale, a departure from the norm in reggae music itself. An acoustic set is no easy feat in reggae, and only a few artistes of this genre have attempted to offer a full length unplugged set such as this. However, with the excitement that Soothing Sounds: Acoustics has aroused, it is likely that we will be getting more albums like this from other reggae acts in the future.

Interestingly, Richie Spice and his accomplished team – which includes talented producer Mitchum ‘Khan’ Chin, who doubles as guitarist; bass player Robbie Shakespeare (of Sly and Robbie fame) Bongo Herman and  percussionists Denver Smith – make the production of an acoustic set look all too easy. The very first single, Free, embodied with strong lyrical content, haunting melodies and soothing sounds layered over harsh realities, intrigued the ears of hardened critics and fans alike and set the tone for Soothing Sounds: Acoustic.

On this album, Spice meanders through the hills and valley of reggae’s spirituality, boldly embracing the hard times, denouncing the ‘dirty system’, highlighting the good times and also  speaking eloquently about love and loving.  Steering his rich vocals through previously uncharted waters balanced with a guitar-driven instrumentation, Spice’s falsetto comes across clean and crisp, and the sounds are so soothing that even when Spice asks a tough, rhetoric question, the listener has no choice but  to rewind track after track.

A complementary mix of tested and proven favourites interspersed with new offerings, the 15-track album transports songs from previous albums and inject them with new and different life. Among the remakes are A No Me Dat (Trulove); Boom (My Heart); Youth Dem Cold (Searching); Grooving My Girl (My Girl); All Day All Night (All Night); Spinning Around (Downside Up) and Rise (Get Up).

Among the stand-out tracks are, the lead singles Free and Crying, Heng On In Deh, All Night, Downside Up and Get Up. The final track, Agony, somehow introduces a different mood in what is otherwise a soothing, soulful, unplugged set.

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic was released on October 23 on the Tad’s Record imprint.

Catch Richie Spice live at Usain Bolt Tracks and Records on Tuesday

KINGSTON JAMAICA - Following last week’s postponement, due to Hurricane Sandy, Tuesday, October 30, is the new date to catch reggae singer, Richie Spice in action at a live showcase at Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records Sports Club.

The maestro will be in sizzling form as he unveils  his full-band for the first official presentation of his latest album,  Soothing Sounds: Acoustic to media and fans in Jamaica.

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic  had is official release worldwide on October 23,  however, Tuesday’s showcase will still coincide with the  press launch for Jamaican media.  

Richie Spice, who recently  wrapped a US West Coast tour, is particularly happy at the chance to interact with his fans in Jamaica in such an intimate setting.

“Sandy was just a minor interruption in the flow. We are back on track and in the midst of all the havoc, we still have a lot to be thankful for. Let us all come out and celebrate and enjoy some Soothing Sounds: Acoustic. We have a great show planned,” the reggae singer stated.

Google Play spotlight, album release and live showcase for Richie Spice on Tuesday

• Tuesday October 23 is definitely Richie Spice’s big day out.

It marks a significant date in the life of the reggae singer, as It will be the worldwide debut of his highly anticipated, acoustic album, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, and, to coincide with the release, Google Play will spotlight the album, which becomes available both physically and digitally on that date.

Google Play, which is Google's massive global music forum, is described as a “one-stop shop for all your favorite entertainment”. Google Play contains millions of songs and is said to be a more connected, powerful experience.

According to Spice’s management, this is “definitely a really good look and feel and we know that being featured on Google Play will be a great boost for Soothing Sounds: Acoustic”.

Also on October 23 will be the twinning of the official press launch and a live showcase at Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records Sports Club. The showcase will unveil Richie Spice with his full-band for the first official presentation of the album to media and fans in Jamaica.

Richie Spice, who recently wrapped a US West Coast tour, is looking forward to all that is set to unfold next Tuesday, and is particularly happy at the chance to interact with his fans in Jamaica in such an intimate setting.

“We have a great show planned for Usain Bolt's Tracks & Records,” Richie said with his characteristic quick smile. “We have been spreading the vibes of the new album within the States and now it’s time for Jamaica to experience the sounds. The setting is just right for what we intend to deliver and it will be ‘niceness’ all around,” he concluded.

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic has been hailed as a keepsake which showcases an eclectic mix of musical elements that fuse classic reggae vibes with modern day acoustic rock, Spanish guitar, jazz and African drum beats. The first two singles, Free, an uplifting call for unity and Crying, which depicts Spice's signature chanting-style as he conjures socially-conscious questions, are currently available on iTunes. They are in heavy rotation in Jamaica and across reggae airwaves, worldwide. 

Soothing Sounds: Acoustics is being distributed by Tad's Record.    

For further information on Richie Spice, including upcoming tour dates, log on to Richiespice.net, and follow his musical mission at Facebook.com/RichieSpiceMusic and Twitter.com/1RichieSpice.  

Richie Spice sets the pace for album release with US shows

With his highly anticipated acoustic album, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, now on pre-order at iTunes, and an official album release date of October 23, accomplished reggae singer, Richell ‘Richie Spice’ Bonner, is setting the pace with a new video and a series of gigs across the US.

Spice kicked off his five-show set on Friday, October 5 with a stand-out performance at The Mint in Los Angeles, California. The following night saw Richie Spice in superb form, playing to a sold-out crowd at Moe’s Alley, in Santa Cruz, which also recently played host to reggae singer, Junior Kelly.

Armed with his catalogue of solid hits, along with select pieces from the soon-to-be-released album, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, the musical maestro has been thrilling fans and enjoying himself, both on stage while performing and off stage doing interviews, signing autographs and posing for pictures with his legion of fans.

“So far the vibes have been great. The fans have been so appreciative and responsive. It’s a wonderful feeling to be on stage and feel the love flowing and hear the sing-along. What more could any artiste ask for?” Richie Spice said in an interview backstage. He added that he was still quite amazed that there was so much interest in the acoustic set.

“There is so much interest in this album that I think I should have put it out long ago,” Richie Spice said with a laugh.

After the gig on October 8 in San Francisco at The Independent, Spice and his entourage moved on to the state of Oregon, where he is booked to perform at  the Star Theatre in Portland on Friday. He ends the mini US tour on October 13 at the Nectar Lounge in Seattle, however, Richie Spice is steadily building the momentum as the release date approaches.

He explained that 15-track acoustic offering of socially-conscious, roots reggae songs has somehow put him on another level, musically, and has instilled in him a greater appreciation of the fusion of genres. 

Soothing Sounds: Acoustic has been hailed as a keepsake which showcases an eclectic mix of musical elements that fuse classic reggae vibes with modern day acoustic rock, Spanish guitar, jazz and African drum beats.

The first two singles, Free, an uplifting call for unity and Crying, which depicts Spice's signature chanting-style as he conjures socially-conscious questions, are currently available on iTunes. They are in heavy rotation in Jamaica and across reggae airwaves, worldwide. 

The video for Free, produced by Richie Spice and directed by Scorpio 21, debuted on television channels in Jamaica recently, while the video for Crying was shot on location in Jamaica two weeks ago and will be released later this month

Standout tracks on Soothing Sounds: Acoustic include True Love, My Heart and My Girl, which put a new spin on classics from Spice's catalogue. For this album, Richie Spice teams up with some of reggae's top musicians, including Mitchum "Khan" Chin who co-produced the album, Robbie Shakespeare and Stephen "Lenky" Marsden. He also makes it a family affair with his brothers Spanner Banner and Snatcha Lion on the collaboration More Love.

For further information on Richie Spice, including upcoming tour dates, log on to Richiespice.net, and follow his musical mission at Facebook.com/RichieSpiceMusic and Twitter.com/1RichieSpice. 

Richie Spice to perform Sunday at Hope4Hope Concert

Kingston Jamaica - reggae singer, Richie Spice is one of the artistes scheduled to perform at the   Hope4Hope on Sunday, September 30, to benefit the Hope Institute. 

The concert is held annually  in memory of Monique ‘Mahima’ Geourzoung, who held the Hope Institute in high regard. It is Jamaica’s only specialist oncology hospital dedicated to  the treatment and care of cancer patients at any point on their journey. 

According to Richie Spice, he is honoured to be a part of the lineup for this extremely worthy cause.

“This life is all about helping others along the way. I feel special to be asked to be a part of this fund raising event and give thanks to the organisers,” Richie Spice stated.

Coinciding with Monique’s memorial, this year’s concert will feature performances from Beenie Man, Alaine, Richie Spice, Tifa, Freddie McGregor, Jah 9, Luciano, I-Wayne, Rootz Underground, Jesse Royal, Skygrass, Influentill and special surprise guests. 

Richie Spice, who has been busy on the international circuit and in studio, will be releasing his latest album, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic in October. Described as  a collector’s item, the album is a personal project for Spice who wears the producer’s hat on this offering.

The first official single, Free, is currently available on iTunes and has been receiving heavy rotation.

Music for Hope4Hope will be provided by Renaissance, Coppershot and HMV.  

Gates open at 2pm and show-time is 5pm.

Richie Spice fluently speaks the language of acoustic reggae

 Subtract the hard-hitting drums and heavy bass-line from reggae music and focus on the guitar (not electric) the instrumentation and in particular the voice, and what you get is acoustic reggae. More precisely, Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, the soon-to-be-released album from reggae stalwart, Richie Spice.

Already being praised for his bold move into an area of reggae much that many artistes shy away from, the eclectic Richie Spice surely isn’t doing this album for the cameras. “It’s not about show-and-tell,” Spice explains mildly.

“Soothing Sounds: Acoustic is another step in my journey as I seek knowledge and try to pour out what I have learnt into other vessels,” the uber conscious Rastaman explains.

He agrees that in reggae music, there is no real mould for the acoustic, and it is this which has challenged the singer’s creativity and enhances his overall sense of achievement on the project. Free, the first single from Spice’s acoustic set, has garnered much critical acclaim since its release and, not surprisingly, the album seems poised for international success. Perhaps even a Grammy?

With his trademark lingering smile, Richie Spice thought about the possibility of a Grammy Award for Soothing Sounds: Acoustic.

“Well, we have definitely put in work that is of the highest standard, musically. No cutting back. The truth is that we don’t judge our work based on whether or not it wins an award, however, to the world those things are considered important. Winning a Grammy will not make it a great album, and not winning a Grammy will not mean that it’s a bad album. But if a Grammy award is what it takes to make the world stop and listen a bit more keenly, then that would be a good thing,” the reggae singer declared.

Interestingly, there is precedence for an acoustic album claiming the coveted gong, as in 2010, Stephen Marley won with Mind Control Acoustic, having previously won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album for Mind Control in 2008.

Acoustic reggae has been likened to jazz and Spice, wearing the cap as producer, turns up the volume with acoustic rock, Spanish guitar, jazz and African drum beats. Soothing Sounds: Acoustic can definitely be considered a collector’s item and for Richie Spice it is a “personal, close-to-the-heart production”.  

The first official single, “Free,” is currently available on iTunes and the second single “Crying”, will be released on iTunes and radio on September 25. The video for Crying was shot recently on location in Jamaica.

Other tracks on  Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, which is scheduled to be released in October,  include “True Love,” “My Heart” and “My Girl”. 

Richie Spice ready to open the next chapter

Conscious reggae singer, Richie Spice, explored the depth of his musical ability with the 2011 release of his fifth studio album, the critically acclaimed Book of Job. 

Rated as the most digitally sold Reggae album for 2011 by iTunes and the New York Times, Book of Job, distributed by VP Records, peaked between #1 and #4 on the Billboard Reggae Charts for a period of six months, from the date of release.  Propelling the popularity of Book of Job were hits such as Black Woman, produced by Raging Fyah, Yap Yap, produced by Lenky Marsden, Legal, produced by Richie Spice, and New Day, which held down the #1 spot in Kenya and Grenada, for three months.

However, as successful as the Book of Job proved to be, Richie Spice is not one to sit on his laurels and is a firm believer in the saying, 'the best is yet to come'.

"Book of Job did well for reggae, not just for me Richie Spice. With all the talk about reggae music not having an impact, it is important to understand that there are a lot of great songs being produced by reggae singers, producers and musicians, but unfortunately these songs, for whatever reason, are not being heard. I have songs which have topped charts in Kenya and other countries in Africa, yet Jamaica hardly plays these songs. And I am sure that it is the same for a lot of other reggae artistes. But we do what we have to do and keep on putting out good, cultural, conscious music for our fans to enjoy," the usually quiet reggae singer declared.

Richie Spice, who is always in demand internationally, noted that whatever the obstacles, he is committed to staying true to his roots as he continues to stimulate his creative processes in the production of great music.

Christened Richell Bonner, the singer has traversed the globe, so much so that his Jamaican fans yearned to see him, and when they did, it was pure musical inspiration.

"Yeah.. I had a great time at A St Mary Mi Come From," Richie reminisced with a big smile.

And it was obvious to those in the audience that he did. Performing in a segment that included artistes such as Singing Melody, the duo of Jigsy King and Tony Curtis and Chuck Fender, Richie Spice held the stage steady and skillfully engaged his audience.

"I would love to perform in Jamaica more, but as we all know the shows are just not happening, so we have to go to the festivals in Europe and California because that's how we make our living," the singer explained simply.

Despite a hectic tour schedule, Richie Spice has still found time to work on yet another album, which is scheduled for release this year.

"This one will be really special," he promised. "I have been toying with this idea for a long time, but nothing happens before the right time...and that time is now," he stated.  

Since 2004 Richie Spice has been elevated as one of reggae’s most in demand talents and the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. He received the Most Cultural Artist Award at the 13th annual South Florida Reggae Soca Awards in 2005; he was voted and received the Male Singer/Singjay of the Year at Jamaica’s IRIE FM Awards in 2007 & 2008 and following his performance at the first annual “Black My Story” concert held in Kingston in 2008 Spice was honored for his positive musical contributions. 

His 2004 album “Spice in Your Life” was listed as the year’s best reggae release by the New York Times; “In the Streets To Africa”, reached number 6 on the Billboard Reggae chart and one of the album’s biggest hits “Youth Dem Cold” peaked at number 59 on the Billboard Top 100 Singles Chart and ranked at number 29 on Vibe Magazine’s Best 44 songs of 2007. “Gideon Boot” debuted at no. 1 on the Billboard Reggae chart, in May 2008.

According to Richie Spice, “My responsibility is to use the talent that God gave me as an instrument to uplift people who are facing the struggle worldwide and let them feel happy in themselves. It is all about righteousness, and endorsing the love of the people, good over evil and life over death.”