One of the hardest-working artists in reggae-dancehall, Richie Stephens, is set to release his first-ever full soul music album on Friday, July 26, 2024. With over thirty LPs already in his catalogue, this new project, titled The Soul of Richie Stephens, stands out as it is a response to numerous requests from fans and colleagues over the years.
Stephens explains the inspiration behind the album: “For years, people have told me that my voice is perfect for a soul album. I’ve been ignoring that advice until now. I’ve reached a point in my career where I’m fully experienced in production, songwriting, and other aspects of music, making me comfortable enough to create a full soul album.”
He further elaborated: “This is a soul album with a Jamaican touch. All the songs are original, and some are sung in Jamaican dialect, giving it a unique flavour.” Stephens wrote all the songs and is credited for approximately 80% of the production, most of which was done at his Pot of Gold studio in Kingston, Jamaica.
The public has already sampled three tracks from The Soul of Richie Stephens: Heart Beat, first heard on the Soul Food Riddim; Bassline Whine, a grown-folk rub-a-dub vibe; and Family & Friends, a feel-good track featuring Bounty Killer and Wilful Skilful. An official video for the latter has been released, and all three tracks are enjoying significant airplay.
