Roots singer Richie Spice has earned his reputation as one of contemporary reggae's top acts with songs like Earth a Run Red and Righteous Youth.

For his latest album, however, he takes a different course. The result is Richie Spice Soothing Sounds: Acoustic, a 15-song set co-produced by Spice and guitarist Mitchum Chin.

Soothing Sounds will be released digitally and on compact disc on October 23 by Tad's Record. Tad Dawkins, principal of that company, says he is confident the album will "surpass all expectations.

"I believe that it will do great, both in terms of sales and reception from his new and existing fans," said Dawkins. "We are looking forward to a Grammy nomination. It would be an injustice to expect anything less."

Soothing Sounds contains unplugged versions of the hard-hitting In the Streets and Grooving my Girl, the ballad that announced Spice more than 10 years ago.

Interestingly, the studio version of My Heart, the third track on the set, was co-produced by keyboardist Steven 'Lenky' Marsden and Irie FM disc jockey Michael 'Mighty Mike' Jones, who died in July.

In addition to Chin and Marsden, percussionists Denver Smith and Bongo Herman, as well as bass legend Robbie Shakespeare, played on Soothing Sounds.

Richie Spice has established a loyal fan base, especially in Europe and North America, through tireless touring.

He kicks off his promotion for Soothing Sounds on October 5 at The Mint in Los Angeles.