A powerful message for the times is coming this Emancipation Day, courtesy of two generations of reggae greatness. Veteran singer Johnny Osbourne, known affectionately as The Dancehall Godfather, has teamed up with roots-reggae torchbearer Tarrus Riley for a contemporary remake of Osbourne’s 1979 classic, “We Need Love.”
The single will be released globally on August 1, 2025, through VP Records, marking the first offering from Osbourne’s upcoming album Universal Love Showcase, due out later that month.
Originally featured on Osbourne’s seminal Truth & Rights album, “We Need Love” was written to the riddim of Otis Gayle’s Jamaican cover of The Spinners’ “I’ll Be Around”, a soul classic reimagined at Studio One. That version, backed by legendary house band The Sound Dimension, with a standout organ solo from Jackie Mittoo, became a prized record among collectors and a staple on Kingston’s soundsystem circuit.
Osbourne, fresh from an extended stay in Canada in the late 1970s, returned to Jamaica and chose that same riddim to create “We Need Love,” a song that offered both a personal and social reflection of the times. Now, in 2025, that message proves just as relevant, reimagined with modern production and the unmistakable voice of Tarrus Riley joining in harmony.
The updated version is produced by Frenchie of Maximum Sound, known for his work with reggae stalwarts such as Luciano (United States of Africa) and Anthony B (Black Star). The single is also sonically shaped by mixing engineer Gregory Morris, with musical arrangement and a stirring saxophone solo by reggae titan Dean Fraser, who brings a fresh touch to this timeless riddim—also heard on Chronixx’s 2016 track “Majesty.”
Riley, whose own catalog includes hits like “She’s Royal” and “Gimme Likkle One Drop,” steps seamlessly into the role of co-vocalist on “We Need Love,” adding a contemporary urgency to Osbourne’s original plea for unity, compassion, and spiritual strength.
“Uplifting and spiritual in equal measure, this version of ‘We Need Love’ isn’t just a remake—it’s a revival,” says a VP Records spokesperson. “It captures both artists in their element and ensures this hand-clapping, foot-stomping classic lives on.”
The single sets the tone for Osbourne’s forthcoming album, Universal Love Showcase, which arrives on August 29, 2025. The project promises to celebrate the enduring spirit of reggae music, while bridging the gap between foundational sounds and new-generation artistry.
With a music career that spans nearly six decades, Johnny Osbourne remains a towering figure in Jamaican music. A graduate of the legendary Alpha Boys’ School, his catalog reads like a roadmap through reggae and dancehall’s evolution—from Studio One classics to digital-era hits. Having worked with icons like King Jammy, Junjo Lawes, and Bobby Digital, Osbourne’s influence remains undeniable.
In 2025, he’s still touring the world, still recording, and still sending messages that matter.
