Ziggy Marley returns with ‘Love is my Religion’

By Patrick Luce Jun 26, 2006, 19:36 GMT

Ziggy Marley is set to release his second solo album ‘Love Is My Religion’ (on Tuff Gong Worldwide Records) on July 4th and will hit the road in August with Roots Rock Reggae 2006.
 
Love Is My Religion expands upon the personal, social and political themes explored in his debut ‘Dragonfly’ peppering a reggae core with African percussion and other flavors.  Its tracks include the subversively danceable “Into the Groove,” the political “Be Free” (which attacks the manipulating power of fear) and “Love Is My Religion” (a message Ziggy says that “people need to hear,” a unifying devotion to love that “needs to be preached in churches and mosque and synagogues”).  The album closes with a stripped-down acoustic guitar version of “Love Is My Religion” and a bass-heavy, trip-hop mix of “Be Free.”

Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Ziggy Marley announced that he has entered into an agreement with Target which will be the exclusive U.S. retailer of the ‘Love Is My Religion’ album. This deal is a first for both parties - marking the first time Ziggy has ever released an independent album without using the traditional major label infrastructure, and the first time that Target will act as the sole U.S. retailer for a major recording artist.

“One of my father’s goals was to release an album independently.  His plan was to do that after the release of his final album on a major label – unfortunately, he never had the chance,“ shared Ziggy. “This album and the way it is being sold is important to me in honoring my father’s spirit.  I am excited to be a part of this new relationship with Target.”

This direct relationship between Marley and Target will allow the album to be offered at the low price of $9.99 to Target guests. 

“In addition to touching the world with his own music, Ziggy Marley continues to give life to the legacy of his father, Bob Marley, by carrying on the genre of reggae music,” said Darrell Tucker, vice president, merchandising, Target.  “We are excited to bring this powerful collection of music exclusively to Target guests.”

With Ziggy as the album’s songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer (three tracks were co-produced by Grammy winner Ross Hogarth), the title track will be its first single, to debut on June 5th. 

Ziggy Marley’s early immersion in music came at age ten when he sat in on recording sessions with his father.  He later joined his siblings to front The Melody Makers, whose eight best-selling albums generated such chart-topping hits as “Tomorrow People” and “Tumbling Down.”  Ziggy’s solo debut, Dragonfly, was released in 2003 and featured such artists as Flea and John Frusciante (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Mike Einziger and DJ Kilmore (Incubus). 

Visit Marley’s official website for more information on the album. Tour dates for the Roots Rock Reggae 2006 include:

8/6/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Redway, CA

8/8/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Reno, CA

8/10/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Alpine, CA

8/11/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Santa Barbara, CA

8/12/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: San Rafael, CA

8/13/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Los Angeles, CA

8/15/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Las Vegas, NV

8/16/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Tucson, AZ

8/17/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Mesa, AZ

8/18/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Albuquerque, NM

8/19/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Morrison, CO

8/20/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Kansas City, MO

8/23/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Hyannis, MA

8/24/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Boston, MA

8/25/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Philadelphia, PA

8/26/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Portsmouth, VA

8/27/06: Roots Rock Reggae 2006: Vienna, VA