With Nine Mile, his ninth full-length album, Alborosie delivers one of the most personal and fully realized projects of his career—a vibrant journey through the spirit, sound, and soul of Jamaica. More than a tribute to Bob Marley’s birthplace and final resting place, the album is a musical pilgrimage into the heart of Rastafarian culture and the evolution of reggae itself.

Recorded and produced at his own Shengen Studio in Kingston—home to vintage gear once used by the legendary King Tubby—Nine Mile benefits from the seasoned ears of executive producers Damian Marley and Stephen Marley. Engineers Gregory Morris, Marc Lee, Nikolas Marzouca, and James “Bonzai” Caruso give the album a warm, analog depth that complements its cross-genre palette. The result is a cohesive blend of roots reggae, lovers rock, bossa nova, 80s rock, new wave, and soulful R&B, all unified by Alborosie’s unmistakable tone and consciousness.

The album opens with "Calling Selassie," introduced by the voice of Haile Selassie himself: a powerful invocation that sets the album’s spiritual intentions. It’s a classic one-drop tune with bright horns, meditative energy, and lyrics tracing Alborosie’s personal journeys to Ethiopia.

On "Trench Town Legend," Alborosie crafts an affectionate tribute to Bob Marley, referencing iconic song titles and themes while riding a roots riddim that subtly nods to Marley’s Uprising era, particularly "We and Dem." It’s reverent without feeling derivative—a difficult balance that Alborosie manages with ease.

"No Tan Distintos (Not So Different)" expands the album’s worldview with a heavier guitar sound and a plea for unity amid global chaos. A remake of Argentine punk-reggae band Sumo’s 1987 track, it channels righteous anger with clarity and purpose.

Similarly, "Come My Way" dips into the Marley/Perry era, drawing from the King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown riddim and the breezy spirit of "Sun Is Shining." These intertextual layers enrich the album without overshadowing Alborosie’s own voice.

"Cool Down" shifts into a mellow groove, exploring the emotional turbulence of a fading relationship. It balances heartache with gentle self-coaching, landing on a hopeful, human note. "Digital Love" picks up the pace to critique the superficiality of app-driven romance, contrasting fleeting attraction with the longing for something more grounded and real.

The album’s middle stretch bursts with vibrant cross-cultural energy. "Ganas de Verte" introduces a lively Latin vibe, delivered in Spanish and built to make bodies move. "Ipanema" pays homage to the people of Rio de Janeiro, blending bossa nova warmth with a celebration of everyday beauty far from the postcard image of the beach. These tracks show Alborosie’s gift for fusion—expanding reggae’s borders without losing its steady heartbeat.

"Another Day" serves as a reflective breath before the stirring "Zombies," a protest tune that uses the "zombie" metaphor to highlight the emotional and spiritual fallout of war, violence, and social conflict. Alborosie’s vocal performance is raw and gripping.

"Loco Loco" injects funk into the reggae framework, offering a sharp critique of corruption, misinformation, and societal decay, delivered in both English and Spanish. Its message is urgent, but the groove remains irresistible.

"Club Paradise," a remake of Jimmy Cliff’s tune from the film that influenced Alborosie in his youth, is breezy and joyful—a sun-drenched ode to Jamaica.

"When" takes a detour into 70s soul-R&B textures, showcasing how comfortable Alborosie is across genres without diluting his roots identity.

The album closes with its title track, "Nine Mile." Stripped-down and emotionally exposed, it serves as a tribute to the late Jo Mersa Marley and a meditation on the spiritual energy of the place that shaped reggae’s greatest prophet. It’s tender, reverent, and deeply human—a fitting final chapter.

With Nine Mile, Alborosie invites listeners into a heartfelt exploration of Jamaica’s cultural legacy while pushing reggae into new, globally resonant spaces. It’s a project steeped in love, loss, spirituality, and social awareness—all delivered with the craftsmanship of an artist who lives and breathes the culture he honors.

Despite his Italian origins, Alborosie stands today as one of reggae’s most authentic and innovative torchbearers. Nine Mile is a testament not just to where reggae comes from, but to where it can still go.

One Love - Todd R. Judd