Grab your spouse and rent a tile, because reggae lovers and lovers of reggae alike, are about to be gifted with music made with heart and intention, courtesy of reggae artiste Ras-I, who is set to release his third studio album, Heart of Love, on May 15.
During a private listening session held at Anchor Recording Studio last Thursday, guests were introduced to the 13-track project. Six years in the making, the album is rooted in themes of love that feel broader than the usual romance-heavy formula. Yes, there are songs about connection and relationships, like the already released "Home" featuring Khalia, but there is also love for self, love for community, love for the Almighty, and at its core, love for the music itself.
The project brings together some strong collaborations, including Kabaka Pyramid on "These Are The Days," Nesta on "Holding Strong," and dancehall artiste <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Govanna&amp;oq=hey+so+i+wrote+this%2C+%2213+Tracks+From+the+Heart+on+Ras-I%E2%80%99s+%E2%80%9CHeart+of+Love%E2%80%9D+Album+Shana-Kay+Rankine++Grab+your+spouse+and+rent+a+tile%2C+because+reggae+lovers+and+lovers+of+reggae+alike%2C+are+about+to+be+gifted+with+music+made+with+heart+and+intention%2C+courtesy+of+reggae+artiste+Ras-I+who+is+set+to+release+his+third+studio+album+%E2%80%9CHeart+of+Love%E2%80%9D+on+May+15.+During+a+private+listening+session+held+at+Anchor+Recording+Studio+last+Thursday%2C+guests+were+introduced+to+the+13+track+project%2C+six+years+in+the+making+and+rooted+in+themes+of+love+in+ways+that+feel+broader+than+the+usual+romance-heavy+formula.+Yes%2C+there+are+songs+about+connection+and+relationships%2C+like+the+already+released+%E2%80%9CHome%E2%80%9D+featuring+Khalia%2C+but+there%E2%80%99s+also+love+for+self%2C+love+for+community%2C+love+for+the+Almighty+and%2C+at+its+core%2C+love+for+the+music+itself.+The+project+also+brings+together+some+other+strong+collaborations%2C+including+Kabaka+Pyramid+on+%E2%80%9CThese+Are+The+Days%2C%E2%80%9D+Nesta+on+%E2%80%9CHolding+Strong%2C%E2%80%9D+and+dancehall+artiste+Govanna+on+%E2%80%9COya.%E2%80%9D+But+the+more+impressive+collaboration+was+the+one+between+artiste+and+musicians.++Speaking+with+CVM+Live%2C+Ras-I+reflected+on+the+creative+process+behind+the+album+after+one+audience+member+described+the+project+as+sounding+like+a+%E2%80%9Cfamily-made+album%2C%E2%80%9D+praising+the+chemistry+shared+between+the+musicians+across+the+tracks.+He+said%2C+%E2%80%9CYou+can+feel+the+love%2C+when+you+listen+the+music.+You+feel+that+love+that+went+into+it..+This+is+how+it+is+for+this+album%2C+especially+because+it%E2%80%99s+just+me+and+mi+bredda+dem.+No+strict+rules+more+than+%2C+just+make+sure+we+put+wi+best+foot+forward+on+every+track+every+note%E2%80%A6it+just+feel+good%E2%80%9D.%E2%80%9D+Referring+to+members+of+The+Compounds+Dub+Squad+Band+led+by+the+ever+so+talented+Keniel+Delisser%2C+grammy+winning+producer+JLL+and+members+of+the+Alpha+Music+School+family.+++The+reggae+singe">Govanna</a> on "Oya." However, the most impressive collaboration was the one between artist and musicians.
Speaking with CVM Live, Ras-I reflected on the creative process behind the album after one audience member described the project as sounding like a "family-made album," praising the chemistry shared between the musicians across the tracks.
"You can feel the love when you listen [to] the music. You feel that love that went into it," Ras-I said. "This is how it is for this album, especially because it&rsquo;s just me and mi bredda dem. No strict rules more than, just make sure we put wi best foot forward on every track, every note&hellip; it just feel good."
This chemistry comes from working with members of The Compounds Dub Squad Band, led by the talented Keneil Delisser, Grammy-nominated producer JLL, and members of the Alpha Music School family.
The reggae singer also teased that while fans have already connected with some of the pre-released tracks, there are still several songs on the album he is especially excited for listeners to experience in full, such as "Essence" and "Play On."
"[&lsquo;Play On&rsquo;] specially is a ska tune and I don&rsquo;t think we&rsquo;ve gotten a ska song from my generation of artiste in a while and it&rsquo;s refreshing," he shared.
Ras-I also expressed excitement about eventually bringing the project to live audiences through the "Ras-I Heart of Love Experience."
The project can truly be described as music made by people who still believe songs should "feel like something," and fans everywhere will finally get to feel the love poured into it when it officially drops this Friday, May 15.
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&nbsp;<img style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://cvmapi.cvmtv.com/storage/news/B9wfVIl8hOXWSsvrfa3lyXD5BtLHh4GGjsxxoEG4.jpg" alt="" width="1000" height="800">
Album Listening Party with Ras- I
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Six years in the making, the album is rooted in themes of love that feel broader than the usual romance-heavy formula. Yes, there are songs about connection...

13 Tracks From the Heart: Ras-I’s Heart of Love Album