Tarrus Riley released Contagious, his 3rd crooning conscious reggae album today. The 18-track album was originally announced last Friday in Montego Bay (after Reggae Sumfest 2009) and was released today on VP Records to the anticipation of reggae music fans around the world.
Contagious is truly a modern album, bolstered by guest appearances of today’s hottest reggae and dancehall talent including Vybz Kartel, Etana, Konshens, Demarco, and Duane Stephenson. Underpinning it all is a repeat collaboration with producer Dean “Cannon” Fraser, who was instrumental in the success of Riley’s 2007 Parables release.
Living the Life of a Gun and Let Peace Reign (featuring Etana and Duane Stephenson) call for an end to the violence that afflicts modern Jamaica. It Will Come is an uplifting reminder that creative success isn’t always an easy path. Good Girl Gone Bad moves in a dancehall direction with additional vocals from Konshens. Additional tracks include a cover of Michael Jackson’s Human Nature. Additional tracks include Start A New, an entreaty to women to end domestic abuse, the soulful Superman, and the uplifting, conscious Rastafari I Sight.
In an interview with the Jamaica Gleaner Tarrus Riley stated that he named his latest reggae album “Contagious because I want it to spread all over, because the vibes is positive and so many negative things are spreading and secondly, with the support of the people, my music is becoming Contagious.” He went on to refer to the online spread of reggae music by explaining that “everyone is logging on and I really love that.”
Tarus Riley, a New York native, kicked off the Contagious reggae album release with a special appearance at J&R Music and Computer World in Manhattan, followed by a short live reggae performance and autograph signings. He followed with a live VIP performance at the Providence NYC club alongside multi-platinum R&B performer Lyfe Jennings.
You can buy Contagious now for less than $11 USD
About Tarrus Riley
The child of a nurse named Lavern and reggae singer Jimmy Riley, Taurus Riley is often referred to as one of the greatest living Jamaican roots reggae and lovers rock singers. His tenor vocals and Rastafarian lyrics make him a wildly popular performer.
Tarrus describes his reggae sound as “healing music” and his passion is evident not only in his conscious lyrics but in the rapid pace and success of his releases.
Tarrus Riley is a self-taught musician who is also a talented keyboardist and percussionist. Riley debuted in 2004 with his Challenges reggae album, which featured the singles Larger than Life and Barber Chair. Challenges was released on the Yaman label but he was soon scooped up by reggae and dancehall powerhouse VP Records.
Riley released his breakout sophomore album, Parables, in 2007 on VP. The album’s success was due in part to Dean Fraser’s masterful production work. The album included She’s Royal, the most popular roots reggae song of the year, along with 13 other original reggae songs out of the 15 total tracks. The title track, Parables, is a cover of John Legend’s Stay With You and uses the Three Blind Mice rhythm originally created by Max Romeo. She’s Royal is one of the 30 reggae love songs profiled on Dub & Reggae.Contagious is again being released by VP Records.
Tarrus Riley was most recently seen on the final night of the Reggae Sumfest 2009 Festival, where he has performed every year since Sumfest promoter Johnny Gouzong first heard his music in 2004. When Gouzong first heard the track, he was “frantic” to sign the young artiste to the Sumfest lineup. Gouzong has since described Tarrus Riley as the Prince of Reggae.
You can read more about Tarrus Riley’s life here.
More Tarrus Riley information
- Tarrus Riley on MySpace
- Tarrus Riley official website
- Tarrus Riley on Facebook
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Very interesting and amusing lovers rock article. I read with great pleasure.
Tarrus is amazing a true inspiration!
I have been following him since i heard his name an have all his stuff including some amazing dub plates – Father like Son…. Jimmy Riley set a good firm solid foundation and they are truly blessed!
I love Barber Chair – Love Created I – Stay With You – and many many more.
Tarrus Riley as the Prince of Reggae for this time!
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
AM A BORN jAMAICAN LIVING IN THE USA FOR MANY YEARS
I have being to a lot of raggae shows include Beres
Hammond show but i went to
Tarrus show last week great
singer and a fabulous performer caint wait to see him perform again.
perform again.
[...] 12-track album is scheduled for release on October 6, 2009. Tarrus Riley’s Human Nature cover was included on his recent Contagious album and is already popular in [...]
Tarrus Riely i love your music very much keep up the good work.
from your number one fan michelle
[...] features: Stephen Marley, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Julian Marley, Ky-mani Marley, Shaggy, Tarus Riley, Capleton, & Spragga Benz, Jahfe, Resolvers, & Vega Under [...]