Alborosie at Warsaw’s Proxima: Sicilian roots and Jamaican reggae inspirations

“Music has no boundaries,” David Rodigan announced on Alborosie's debut album. “Music is an international force, an international language. From Sicily to Kingston, Jamaica, this is Alborosie. Real, authentic reggae music.”

Twelve years later, Sicilian-born Alborosie headlines the biggest festivals worldwide and has earned recognition throughout the reggae industry. He is a talented lyricist, producer and multi-instrumentalist who sings and DJs alike. Having lived in Kingston for more than a decade, he is now a leading figure in Jamaica's resurgent music scene, thanks to a series of widely acclaimed albums.

The latest album, “Unbreakable: Alborosie Meets The Wailers United”, was released on 29 June 2018. It is the result of a collaboration with members of Bob Marley’s former band, The Wailers.

“Bob Marley was one of my idols,” Alborosie says. “He was the best in spirituality, musicianship and everything else, but when it comes to the Wailers, they had a chemistry that goes beyond Bob. They're a legendary band, and until the end of time their name will always resonate.”

Keyboard player Tyrone Downie was the first Wailer to join the sessions, followed by guitarist Junior Marvin, bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett and his son Aston Junior, who plays drums like his late uncle Carlton Barrett. Together, they bring the characteristic style and sound of reggae's best-known rhythm.

Although the classic Wailers sound is omnipresent, Unbreakable is first and foremost Alborosie's creation. It is fair to call this musician Italy's finest reggae export. He wrote, arranged and produced most of the tracks himself at Shengen studio in Kingston, where he mastered the art of making music. His style combines old-school influences with incredible freshness.

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