A rapt audience of dancing and screaming young fans packed the Sebastiani Theatre in California’s wine country of Sonoma on Monday July 6 for a concert to celebrate the upcoming release of Lymie Murray’s fourth album, Deeper Roots.
The inspired Jamaican reggae crooner did not disappoint. With a scintillating two- hour performance, Lymie Murray stamped his class on Sonoma.
Dressed in full white regalia and sporting a blood red turban over his long dreadlocks, and a Rastafarian coloured scarf, Lymie sang tunes from his Deeper Roots album – “Rooster”, “Bad Mind People”, “Marcus”, “Captive”, “Troubles I See” and “Earth Cry” as well as other familiar singles “Break Free” and ‘Love for the People”.
Known for classical lover’s rock ballads, Lymie seduced the majority female crowd with soul-stirring love songs from the Deeper Roots album – “Love to Love You” and “Suzie’s Birthday Party” as well as bonus singles such as the catchy “ABC” and ‘This Love”.
When it comes to singing and inspired artistry, Lymie Murray has raised the bar. Inviting patrons to dance with him, and delighting with a record time wardrobe change, this superb Jamaican singer caressed the crowd with his warm vocals, personal allure and inviting stage presence.
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The melodies Lymie Murray pursues in this album largely depart from the signature lover’s rock genre for which the reggae singer had become known.
Asked whether Deeper Roots was a change of musical direction, Lymie Murray said: “An artiste work is a manifestation of who he is. Deeper Roots reflects my evolution as an artiste and my own convictions about people, the issues they confront, the challenges and triumphs, the disappointments but also the gift of hope .These melodies were always within me. I didn’t premeditate this album. It came spilling from my soul”.
Produced by the California-based I-Dwell Records, led by brothers Jack and Hap Mapel, Deeper Roots is the first major project with Lymie Murray. “No one does lover’s rock like Lymie Murray and he appeals to people who love music period”, says co-producer, Jack Mapel.
“Mainstream America is afraid of reggae’s revolutionary message. It is the youth who are drawn to reggae; they are not offended by the fire burning. They respect the meditation. With Lymie Murray, they get both classical lover’s rock and reggae righteousness and they love him”.
The concert featured a stellar California-based band – Herb Daley on bass; Johnny ‘Dread’ Nevin on keyboards; Rusty Zinn on guitars; and Bruce Benjamin on drums – themselves no stranger to reggae.
The concert dubbed “An Evening with Lymie Murray” was captured by a five-camera shoot for a live music DVD. The concert also featured live painting on canvass by Sonoma artist, Nathan Valensky.
Deeper Roots is Lymie Murray’s fourth album, following Conversation, Start All Over and Happy Days.
Contact: Hume Johnson, PhD – humepela@gmail.com
Jack Mapel, I-Dwell Records,
