‘Bob Marley & The Chineke Orchestra’ – album illustration courtesy of UMe / Island Records
Released by Island Records / UMe on May 27 Bob Marley and the Chineke! orchestra reimagine some of Bob Marley’s best songs with the contemporary classical orchestration of the beloved Chineke! Orchestra. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios and produced by Nick Patrick (If I Can Dream, Elvis Presley and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, True Love Ways, Buddy Holly and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra), reimagined songs include “Satisfy My Soul”, “Exodus”, “Is This Love”, “Redemption Song”, “Get Up, Stand Up”, as well as “One Love / People Get Ready”, which is scheduled which premieres as a main track on March 25th.
The genesis of the idea for Bob Marley and the Chineke! orchestra came through the acclaimed cellist and young musician of the year at BBC 2016 Sheku Kenneh-Mason OBE. Although he is now a full-time solo artist and is no longer an active Chineke! member, it was Kenneh-Mason’s original and pioneering arrangements of Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” and “Redemption Song” that initially caught the attention and appreciation of Tuff Gong and Bob Marley’s estate. So Chinese! The musical journey, through Abbey Road Studios, had begun.
China! Founder Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE explains: “As a pure classical musician, the idea of participating in a musical collaboration with the legendary Bob Marley was truly mind-blowing. I strongly believe that all musical genres should to be open to absolutely everyone, so it was wonderful for Chineke to be able to bring new orchestrations to these iconic songs. “
The Chinese! The Orchestra was founded in 2015 by music teacher and double bassist Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE. Under the motto of “championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music”, the ensemble performed for the first time at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Southbank Central London in September 2015, and are now the orchestra resident there.
Working tirelessly to create opportunities for established and emerging ethnically diverse musicians and nurturing new talent by providing role models and celebrating diversity in classical music, Chineke! was honored on the 30th anniversary of the Royal Philharmonic Society’s RPS Awards with the inaugural ‘Gamechanger’ Award in 2019. Chineke! continue to be widely covered by the national and international press and media, most recently by The Times (United Kingdom) i The New York Times.
Bob Marley remains one of the most important and influential entertainment icons of the 20th century. She has the second largest number of followers on social media for any posthumous celebrity. Her Facebook page attracts more than 70 million fans and ranks her among the top 20 Facebook pages and the top 10 celebrity pages. Besides, Legend is the 17th best-selling album of all time in the UK, after 1019 consecutive weeks on the UK’s official album chart.
Bob Marley and the Chineke! orchestra song list:
“Exodus”
“Stir”
“Love / people get ready”
“Get up and stand up”
“It’s this love”
“Song of Redemption”
“The best ranking”
“Satisfy my soul”
“I shot the Sheriff”
“Turn off your lights”
Listen to Bob Marley and the Chieneke! orchestra.
