Lenky teams up with Sly & Robbie for new album

Jamaican super producer Steven "Lenky" Marsden has joined forces with his longtime Taxi Gang bandmates, drummer Lowell "Sly" Dunbar and bassist Robert "Robbie" Shakespeare (better known as legendary rhythm section and production team "Sly & Robbie") to create the 10-track, mostly instrumental, opus, Project 1966. The album is characterized by jazzy musical inflections over a collection of original reggae and rocksteady riddims, all meticulously arranged by the three maestros. Once again, as on 2018's critically acclaimed instrumental album Self Taught, which leading reggae website World A Reggae hailed as a "masterpiece," Lenky's dexterous finger work is front and center on Project 1966. Whether it's the piano flourishes on the lead track "Outta East" or the pulsating organ on "No Skin Teeth," you can hear Lenky's distinct musical stamps guiding each arrangement.

Project 1966 also features the saxophone stylings of famed bandleader Dean Fraser, and guitar work from brothers Danny and Dalton Browne. The only vocals on Project 1966 come courtesy of co-collaborator Robbie Shakespeare on the easygoing "Beg Yuh Some," and Lenky's son Q (who has recently been featured in media outlets like VICE Noisey and Pigeons & Planes) on the equally as smooth, "It's Coming."

"The title 'Project 1966' comes from the beginning of rocksteady music in Jamaica. From what I gathered it only lasted about two to three years before reggae took over. I’ve always appreciated and been inspired by that time in Jamaican music, especially since I used to tour with Lloyd Parks and We The People Band, who played for most of the rocksteady artists. I created this album to honor that era and pay homage to some of the great musicians like Jackie Mittoo" said Lenky.

Of the collaboration with musical wizards Sly & Robbie, Lenky offered "Sly and Robbie have definitely been mentors to me over the years and I have learned a lot from them and a lot about them. They are both big fans of rocksteady. Sly loves Studio One and Robbie, Treasure Isle -- both of which were cornerstones in the production of the music from that era. While on tour with them, they would always school me on the drum patterns and bass rhythms unique to that time. Sly would always say, 'listen to Jackie Mittoo from Studio One' and Robbie would say, 'listen to Aubrey Adams from Treasure Isle.' They are both happy with the direction I took this album, and the final outcome of all our talents fused together.

As Lenky readies more releases on his Diwali Records imprint, he continues to serve as Musical Director and keyboardist for Buju Banton's Til Shiloh band, who have been touring steadily since the beloved singer/deejay's triumphant return to the stage after a nearly decade-long stint in prison.

Diwali Records draws its name from the innovative riddim which spawned major hits like Wayne Wonder's "No Letting Go," Lumidee's "Never Leave You (Uh Oh)", and most notably, Sean Paul's "Get Busy," which enjoyed a 3-week run atop the Billboard HOT 100 singles chart. The Diwali Riddim most recently earned Lenky an ASCAP award for its usage in the DJ Snake x Justin Bieber smash hit "Let Me Love You."

Project 1966 tracklisting:

1. Outta East

2. North Parade

3. Twelve Thirty

4. No Skin Teeth

5. West Street Skanking

6. It’s Coming (feat. Q and Dean Fraser)

7. On the Western Prairie

8. Old Gate to New Beginnings

9. Beg Yuh Sum (feat. Robbie Shakespeare)

10. Tribute to the Mystics

DL Project 1966 here

New Album Project 1966 - Out Now via Diwali Records / VPAL Music: https://smarturl.it/LenkyMarsden1966