The Jamaican artist on the rise, Samory I, unveils the track listing from his eagerly-awaited solo debut album Strength, to be released November 17, 2023, via Overstand Entertainment and Easy Star Records. The album pre-order is available today, with options for digital, CD, and for vinyl (which will be released later, on Feburary 9, 2024).
The 11-track set follows his collaborative album Black Gold (2017) with Jamaican producer Rory “Stonelove” Gilligan, which helped make Samory a household name in reggae. Over the past year, Samory I has teased us with singles from his forthcoming LP including “Blood In The Streets,” “Crown,” and “Wrath” featuring 2023 Grammy award-winner Kabaka Pyramid and dancehall legend Capleton. Strength is produced solely by prolific reggae producer Winta James (Protoje, Chronixx, Damian Marley) and will also feature guest appearances by Jamaican reggae artists Lila Iké, Jesse Royal, and Mortimer.
The tracks released thus far have garnered key radio play and global attention. Tastemakers like Sir David Rodigan of BBC1 have cited Samory I as one of only a small handful of current Jamaican artists carrying reggae forward at the moment. The singer is also currently gracing the cover of three European magazines –UK’s essential black monthly Echoes, Germany’s reggae publication RIDDIM (alongside fellow Jamaican artist Mortimer), and France’s quarterly Reggae Vibes. As John Masouri from Echoes puts it,“Samory I is one of the most important artists of this present era. He’s a Jamaican roots man who holds fast to the Rastafari faith and makes records which are rarely less than essential.”
Samory I says the LP “represents the struggles I’ve overcome, both mentally and physically, and is also a representation of my son, who is my driving force behind this album.” Reflecting this sentiment, the album’s cover is a beautiful black and white photo, shot by renowned director/photographer Yannick Reid, of Samory I embracing his son.
