KY-MANI MARLEY TAKES THE INDEPENDENT ROUTE!

 Ky-Mani Marley—

SINCE the release of his debut album, Like Father like Son in 1996, singer Ky-Mani Marley’s work has been distributed by some high-profile record companies.

But his latest album, Maestro, bears the seal of his company Konfrontation Muzic. It is the first project for the label which was formed in 2014.

Released in June, Maestro has 11 songs. It is released through Universal Music.

The 39-year-old Marley’s previous albums have been released by Warner Bros/Rhino Records, the Richard Branson-owned Gee Street/V2 Records, and Shang. The latter is a Miami company that helped make Shabba Ranks, Mad Cobra and Patra stars in the 1990’s.

Marley described Maestro as a “real grass roots project”, adding: “Promoting it has been a lot more tedious, so it’s a new experience. But it’s worth it.”

Much of the promotion for Maestro has been touring. Marley and his band have performed in South America and Europe, two of his biggest markets.

Two songs from the set have been released — Get High and All The Way. All tracks are original, written by Marley, who said he stays away from doing covers, even songs by his father, reggae legend Bob Marley.

“I’ll do some of my father’s songs on stage, maybe three or four. I don’t have a favorite or favorites, so I just rotate them depending on the mood.”

— By Howard Campbell