This is the first time that multi-instrumentalist Alborosie & The Shengen Clan band perform in Hungary’s capital as part of the “UNBREAKABLETOUR” that also touches down in Vienna, Geneva and Amsterdam. Living in Kingston, Jamaica for over a decade, the Sicilian-born reggae man often headlines festivals around the world. He also has the honour of being the first white artist to win the M.O.B.O. (Music of Black Origin) Awards in the Best Reggae Act category.
A talented writer and producer who sings as well as spins discs, is considered a leading light of Jamaica’s resurgent music scene. Released in June, his latest album also features members of Bob Marley’s former backing band The Wailers.
“Bob Marley was one of my idols," says Alborosie. "He was the greatest in terms of spirituality, musicality and everything else, but this is about the Wailers, because they have a chemistry that goes beyond Bob. They are a legendary band and until the end of time their name will always be there. That's why I call the album Unbreakable, because it's the sound of the musicians themselves and when they come together, it's just magic."
However, as Alborosie says, this new record is also a concept album, featuring his own style with touches by the Wailers. While there are one or two love songs, the majority of tracks can be classified as rebel music, the stock in trade of Bob Marley and the Wailers and a constant factor in Alborosie's own career. Other collaborations on the same record includes hot reggae star Chronixx and Raging Fyah, a young roots reggae band from Jamaica.
However, life wasn’t always a bowl of cherries for the Rasta singer. In the song Table Has Turned, Alborosie admits that winning acceptance didn’t come easy.
“I left my family, my girlfriend and everything I had back in Italy just to come to Jamaica and start something new, and to follow what was there inside of me.” Having endured years of antagonism in the reggae homeland during the early 2000s, his career picked up when he released 2007 hit song Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and Kingston Town a year later. His debut album Soul Pirates soon followed, before he signed to Greensleeves Records for a series of bestselling albums.
“All I want to do now is contribute to the genre and bring it to the next level – to carry the flag,” says the artist. “Sometimes it takes a little man from abroad to come and shuffle things up so that people can understand something for themselves. Someone to give them that little ingredient for the pot, then boom! That should help them bring it back, and the soup tastes good again..."
Warm-up for the Park concert are special guests The Skatalites, Jamaica's legendary ska band of Guns of Navarone fame. Hungarians PASO (Pannonia Allstars Ska Orchestra) are also performing, playing deep-rooted traditional ska spiced with violin tunes to add a Magyar touch to their music. After the live show, revellers can shake it at the Alborosie after party, where the hottest dancehall tunes, reggae and afro hits are played late into the night, accompanied by a live dance show.
For the rest of the summer season, the international line-up of Budapest Park includes German DJ phenomenon ATB and Modern Talking singer Thomas Anders. Between gigs, the Nagyszünet chill zone provides street-food treats, refreshing drinks and acoustic performances.
For more information about upcoming events, check out the Budapest Park website and Facebook page.
