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First Listen: Richie Spice – Beautiful Life feat. Kathryn Aria

We are a mere 2.5 weeks into 2019 and hopefully most of you are still basking in the afterglow of a joyful holiday celebration, embracing the gratitude, determination and hope that typically accompany the calendar advancing another year.

To augment those good sentiments, or for those that may need a little boost, today Rootfire premiers “Beautiful Life,” a gorgeous roots reggae track from conscious Jamaican singer Richie Spice, set for release January 18 on VP Records. “Beautiful Life” simultaneously rejoices in the natural beauty around us and the fulfilling emotions that romantic love brings.

“It’s about the love of life, the connection, togetherness, that Rastafari call ‘Full Joy,’” Spice explained.  “The song expresses the beauty of life, whether in the perfection of Mother Nature’s rivers and seas or in the intimacy between two persons.”

Richie Spice and Kathryn Aria

“Beautiful Life” was recorded at Kingston’s Tuff Gong studio with members of Spice’s touring group, The Element Band, which includes Dale Haslem on bass, Andre McGregor on drums and Cristopher Campbell on guitar. It also features guest vocals from Ontario-based singer/songwriter Kathryn Aria, who was discovered on Youtube by Element Music Group, and then flown down to Jamaica for a “whirlwind” of recording over three days. In addition to her vocal contributions, Aria wrote a verse for the song. “I took it as kind of a love song but not just romantic love…A song about love for people who are separated by space and time.”

Aria describes her time working in the studio as professional and pleasant. “Richie was so down to earth and on the same level,” she said. “Everyone made a comfortable, creative space full of positive energy. It’s easy to feel yourself in that environment.”

The warm and open vibes from the studio certainly come through in this exhilarating track, a song to help us appreciate our ability to love and be loved, and the precious gift that is our fleeting and delicate presence on this planet.  Let “Beautiful Life” lift your spirits as you move forward in the new year.


Richie Spice’s latest single “Beautiful Life feat. Kathryn Aria” is set for release January 18 on VP Records.

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Ever since becoming deeply moved and then essentially obsessed with reggae music as a teenager, Dave has always strove to learn as much as possible about the history and culture of reggae music, Jamaica and Rastafari, the ideology and lifestyle intertwined with reggae. 

Over the years, he has interviewed many personalities throughout the reggae world including Ziggy Marley, Burning Spear, Lucky Dube, Bradley Nowell and many artists in the progressive roots scene.

Dave has also written and published a novel, “The Cosmic Burrito,” a tale of two friends who drive across the USA in search of the ultimate burrito. He plays ice hockey weekly for a recreational team he founded and manages, Team Rasta.

Reggae music has filled his life with a richness for which he will forever be grateful, and he gives thanks to musicians far and wide, past and present, whether they perform roots, dub, dancehall, skinhead, rocksteady or ska, whether their tools are analog or digital, as well as the producers, promoters, soundsystems, selectors and the reggae massive at large who comprise the international reggae community.

You can follow Dave on Instagram at @rootsdude and Twitter at @ElCosmicBurrito.

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