I’m always impressed with the quality of live acts this town is able to attract. Despite being a bit out of the way, top musicians come here because the people demand it.
Thursday will bring Tarrus Riley and his band from Jamaica to the Animas City Theatre. If you haven’t heard him, you should have. This is a nice surprise for Durango.
The reggae superstar is touring with backing group Blak Soil Band, on the heels of his Feb. 4 album release, “Love Situation,” which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard reggae charts. It ended Snoop Lion’s weeks-long streak at the top.
Riley works with the best. The legendary saxophonist Dean Fraser, who also plays in his band, and Shane Brown produced “Love Situation.” Brown’s father, Errol Brown, engineered for Bob Marley and The Wailers. And Riley’s father is Jimmy Riley, a longtime reggae singer. So he’s not lacking support.
“We are all friends, so it was cool. It was a natural environment, and there was a lot of ambition to get it right,” Riley said while on the road in Connecticut.
Since his first release in 2004, he has been a name for himself. “Love Situation” – a lovers’ rocksteady, roots-reggae album – is his fifth full-length effort.
“‘Love Situation’ is a love-oriented vibe. A lot of people are inspired by it. Very well-received,” he said.
He began making his mark on the reggae scene in 2006 with his album “Parables.” It spawned the hit song “She’s Royal.” His songs “Superman” and “Human Nature” have also fared well on the reggae charts and with reggae critics.
On this tour, he’s not messing around. He is playing some of the top venues across the U.S., including the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas and Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. Whether it’s in the U.S. or a Caribbean venue, he’s attracting large audiences.
“Wherever we are, I love the stage. That’s my favorite place in the world. I like to sing my songs. I like to see what the music does on the stage,” Riley said.
So, if you want to see a highly acclaimed, second-generation roots reggae musician, or if you just don’t want to go far to see talent, check out Tarrus Riley on Thursday at the Animas.
mhayden@durangoherald.com
If you go
The “Love Situation Tour” with Tarrus Riley featuring Dean Fraser with Black Soil Band, 9 p.m. Thursday at the Animas City Theatre, 128 E. College Drive. Tickets cost $20, available at the box office or online at www.animascitytheatre.com.
