Coming off the heels of his new album, For the Culture, released on June 4, the Italian Reggae Ambassador, Alborosie is the first act on the couch for Season 4 of the Harry J Live Couch Series. The visuals of this virtual jam session produced by Tara Johnson is set to be released on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 on the Harry J YouTube Channel at 2:00 p.m. Jamaica Time / 8:00 p.m. European Time.
Comfortably seated on the golden couch in the Harry J Recording studio (in Kingston, Jamaica) with dreadlocks touching the ground, Alborosie along with members of his Shengen Clan Band, performed some of his international hits such as Diversity, Rasta Anthem, Jah Jah Blessings, Herbalist and Kingston Town in a captivating 20 minutes set.
“I chose to perform my classics for the couch series, staying true to the roots of reggae which is what the Harry J Recording Studio is known for” he said after his performance, “good music is healing so that is what I will always be producing and performing for my fans especially in these unprecedented times” he said with a smile as he touts the relevance of his song Unprecedented Times on the new album.
On the one year anniversary of this virtual show, the Harry J Live Couch Series has been bringing sweet reggae music into the homes of its viewers. First as a tribute to Bob Andy (who passed away last year April) and then as a constant reminder that reggae music is the true healer in challenging times. The virtual mini concert has become a staple bi-weekly event with a new episode being released on a Tuesday afternoon.
“Having an established act like Alborosie on the couch is such an honor! As a Musician, Producer, Singer and Songwriter, his work is not only inspirational; we believe that his calm yet riveting performance is the perfect start to this season as we continue to navigate a pandemic where physical performances are rare,” said an enthusiastic Tara Johnson.
“I’m excited for Season four because it is such an eclectic blend of emerging and established acts and we’ve gone “acoustic style.” We started out with three episodes back in April 2020 but this season there will be ten episodes being released,” continued Johnson. The first five includes Alborosie (June 8), a new genre fluid emerging act, Truvi (June 22), an impressive young male vocalist, Projexx (July 6), the spicy songress Monifa (July 20) and the “last real one” Sanjay (on August 3), said Johnson.
While keeping the other five acts close to her chest, Tara says that fans can expect to see another established act coupled with new sounds from promising emerging musicians and singers.
In honoring the rich reggae history of the Harry J Recording Studio as the place where Bob Marley and the Wailers recorded their first five albums; as well as an ode to the Harry J Catalogue (which includes Reggae Legends such as Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths), Tara, now co-owner of the studio asks that each episode of the couch series includes a performance of a song from the Harry J Catalogue or a song that was recorded at the studio.
Past episodes of the Harry J Live Couch Series featured 2020 break out singer, Zhayna, Roots Percussionist Hector, reggae crooner, Ras-I and emerging acts, Joby Jay, GiRL and Blvk H3ro backed by the evolved Harry J All Stars.
The Harry J Live Couch Series is sponsored by The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Uppsala Reggae Festival, Conceptual Lighting and yours truly, World A Reggae Ent.
- Alborosie – June 8th
- Truvi – June 22nd
- Projexx – July 6th
- Monifa – July 20th
- Sanjay – August 3rd
