NASHVILLE, TN. (Top40 Charts/ VP Records/ Warner Music Nashville) Breezes Grand Negril Resort & Spa,
Jamaica Tourist Board and Delta joined forces with VP Records and Warner
Music Nashville on Aug 30 for the official album launch for Reggae's Gone Country.
The exclusive concert kicked off at 9pm at Breezes Grand Negril Resort & Spa in
Jamaica opening with a special performance by country newcomer Bradley Gaskin. The night continued with reggae artists Duane Stephenson, L.U.S.T., Etana, Tarrus Riley, Freddie McGregor, Busy Signal and Romain
Virgo (alongside country icon Larry Gatlin) each performing their track from Reggae's Gone Country followed by one of their original songs. The performances were accompanied by Dean Fraser's 11-piece band.
Reggae's Gone Country is available online and in stores now. Critics have already begun to praise the genre-bending compilation.
"The amiable and sometimes deeply intuitive "Reggae's Gone Country" (VP) ups the ante, with reggae crooners covering classic country songs. Tarrus Riley does right by the
George Strait classic "The Chair," Beres Hammond sounds winsome and comfortable on
George Jones's "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Duane Stephenson turns Eddie Rabbitt's "Suspicions" into the quiet storm jam it was always meant to be."
- Jon Caramanica, New York Times
"'tracks that blend the best of both genres' pretty tasty."
-
Karen Hawkins, Associated Press
"a new collection of country standards delivered in a captivating and authentic reggae tribute...the end result is an unexpected and highly satiating combination. Frankly, Reggae's Gone Country's reimagined Jamaican versions of
George Strait's "The Chair," Alabama's "Feels So Right," and Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler," make any locale feel like paradise."
- Eric Allen, American Songwriter
"..deftly executed...a dream cast of reggae stars, country stars and country songs..."
- Pat Meschino, Billboard
"...the two musical styles were basically meant for each other and meld together beautifully. Some of the tunes chosen for the record fit with stunning why-didn't-I-realize-this-before? clarity into reggae's trademark off-beat rhythm..."
-Wendy Geller, Yahoo!
Check out NPR's All Things Considered, Baz Dreisinger's latest piece on Reggae Loves Country: A 50 Year Romance:
https://www.npr.org/blogs/therecord/2011/09/01/140120452/reggae-loves-country-a-50-year-romance
