Love & Energy, the eighth studio album by Grammy nominated reggae artiste and actor Ky-Mani Marley, will be released on August 28 via Konfrontation Muzik Group/Dubshot Records.

This is Marley’s first album in 10 years and the Rasta Love singer is happy to be putting out new music.

“I’m excited, to say the least. It’s been a while. I’ve been making music throughout these past 10 years- creating and fine tuning my craft. So, this feels good to be releasing the music I’ve been working on for some time now,” Marley told Observer Online on Thursday.

He said the inspiration behind the 14-track project (which also includes two reflections) was built around light.

“Energy is the force that moves around us. And love is the highest frequency that we can give and receive. Hopefully this album inspires people who hear it, to seek themselves and become better individuals,” Marley shared.

A number of Marley’s musical peers contributed to the project including Sizzla, Anthony B, Agent Sasco, Gyptian, Andrew Tosh, Iba Mahr, Lutan Fyah and Bugle.

Ky-Mani Marley

Said Marley: “I’m a personal fan of the artists I chose to be on the album. I also wanted to reach a broader audience, via fans of those I collaborated with, as I knew these songs would resonate. They are special tracks on each feature.”

Marley produced tracks on the project. Additional production work was done by Phe and his longtime friends and colleagues Anthony Smith and Dean Thomas. Respected musician and producer Llamar ‘Riff Raff’ Brown did some of the overdubbing on the tracks.

“The album came together in its own time, exactly as the universe intended,” he shared.

Tracks featured on Love & Energy include the previously released New Creature, Miss Electric, All This Love, City Views, Love is Key, Breathe You In, Love TKO, Poor Man’s Cry, One Family (featuring Bugle), When the World (with Andrew Tosh and Anthony B), War Inna Babylon (with Sizzla, Anthony B and Agent Sasco) and Send Down the Rain.

Ky-Mani recently completed the European leg of his Love & Energy Tour, where he showcased songs from the album. Among those performances was the 39th staging of the annual reggae festival, Summerjam in Cologne, Germany. On August 22, he heads to Canada for a special performance at the Marley family’s signature Kaya Fest, where he will join brothers Stephen, Julian and Damian on a bill which also includes Busta Rhymes, Shabba Ranks and Lila Ike.

Marley, who was born in Falmouth, has showcased his acting skills in films including Shottas and One Love. His diverse style of music has led to collaborations with international talent including Farruko, Dirty Heads and Pitbull among others.