First Reggae Artist to Perform for the Network’s Acoustic Concert Series
Gentleman, the German multi-platinum and award-winning reggae artist, will release his MTV Unplugged album in the U.S. on November 6, 2015 on VP Records. The 28-song live acoustic set is a wonderfully balanced mix of milestones in Gentleman’s 15-year plus recording career. In North America, the album follows Gentleman’s 2012 U.S. debut Diversity, which charted at #1 in Germany as well as #2 in Switzerland and Austria.
In this epic session recorded at the Cologne Stadtgarten, Gentleman jams with his eight-piece band The Evolution and other high-profile musicians from Germany and Jamaica. The acoustic versions of Gentleman’s “Dem Gone”, “Superior”, “Send A Prayer” and “Different Places,” which have long become canons of pop music in Europe, demonstrate how melodic and memorable his songs are. He not only has a knack for crisp riddims and catchy melodies, but is also a gifted songwriter and singer with an unmistakable voice. The two exclusive new songs in the set are “Warn Dem” featuring Shaggy and “No Solidarity” featuring Ky-Mani Marley. Other guest collaborations include Christopher Martin on “To The Top,” Tanya Stephens on “Another Melody,” Milky Chance on “Homesick” and Marlon Roudette on the cover of Mattafix’s “Big City Life.” The live classic “Rainy Days” is polished to perfection and the crowning finale is Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” with Ky-Mani Marley, the son of the reggae legend.
With 10 albums under his belt and over one million collectively sold in Europe, Gentleman is a crucial component in the movement of international artists beyond Jamaica who are expanding the footprint of reggae music.
One may not assume that the Cologne native and son of a Lutheran pastor would become an international reggae superstar, but Gentleman (born Tilmann Otto) has been drawn to reggae’s revolutionary spirit and truth-seeking lyrics ever since he was introduced to the island’s sounds. He immersed himself in the culture and music at the age of 18, making Jamaica his home away from home. In 1997, he eventually got his first break with German hip-hip group, Freundeskreis, after delivering a verse on single “Tabula Rasa” with his distinctive singjay style. Since then, Gentleman has had a string of solo hits and platinum-selling records in Europe. He won Best National Artist five times for three different award shows (Echo Award 2003 & 2005, Comet Award 2005, 1Live Radio Award 2004 & 2005) and has been nominated twice for Best Reggae Artist (Martin 2004 Awards and Reggae and Soca Awards). He has collaborated with artists ranging from pop superstars Pink and Destiny’s Child to reggae legends Michael Franti & Spearhead and Barrington Levy. After over a decade under the label Four Music, he moved to Universal Germany in 2010 and has since released 5 albums.
New York – see you later at #milkriverlounge in Brooklyn. #gentlemaninusa
Posted by Gentleman on Thursday, November 5, 2015
In support of his new album, Gentleman made a few stops in the U.S. He performed the album live in NYC at Milk River The intimate acoustic performance was preceded by a press conference.
Gentleman then headed to Florida for a fan meet and greet in Miramar and then Miami for a performance with Christopher Martin on stage at the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. Later that evening Gentleman performed at the well-known Miami Beach reggae lounge Jazid.
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TRACK LISTING
1. Intro
2. Superior
3. Changes
4. The Journey
5. Road of Life
6. Intoxication
7. Different Places
8. Send a Prayer
9. It No Pretty
10. Tranquility
11. To the Top feat. Christopher Martin
12. Warn Dem feat. Shaggy
13. New Day Dawn
14. Runaway
15. In My Arms
16. You Remember
17. Heart of Rub-A-Dub
18. Rainy Days feat. Tamika & Martin Jondo
19. Dem Gone
20. Memories
21. Interlude
22. Homesick feat. Milky Chance
23. No Solidarity feat. Ky-Mani Marley
24. Big City Life feat. Marlon Roudette
25. Walk Away
26. Leave Us Alone
27. Another Melody feat. Tanya Stephens
28. Redemption Song feat. Ky-Mani Marley
