Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, Robbie Rapids now calls Atlanta home. After first picking up the guitar in high school, the Midwest rocker made a name for himself as a talented sideman in his hometown music scene. After moving to Georgia, he decided to pursue a solo career.

Class 1 Rapids is the new album from Robbie Rapids, released worldwide via all major streaming services on November 3, 2023. The fourteen-song set includes all the singles the singer has released since his debut, and adds a couple of new tracks to his catalog. To record the album, Robbie teamed up with multi-instrumentalist producer and seasoned international rocker, David Levene.

Levene first gained notoriety in the late sixties as the guitarist in legendary Peruvian psychedelic rock band, Laghonia. The group had a worldwide following, and was even featured in Rolling Stone magazine. David now owns and operates the Big Sound Productions ATL recording studio.

From jangly-guitar college rock heartbreakers like “Never Fall (in love again)” and “Jasmine Girl”, to the 60’s surf-guitar noir-pop of tracks like “Who Shot Them Down”, Robbie Rapids’ Class 1 Rapids is a love letter to guitar-driven rock & roll. Whether they’re dropping psychedelic vibes like “Babylonian Dragon” or fist-pumping AOR anthems like “Rock Ain’t Dead”, Rapids and Lavene pack the album with power chords, classic rock riffs, and acid-rock solos.

Lyrically, Robbie Rapids deals mostly in matters of the heart. There are wistful tales of young love (“Adolescent Lover”) and roots-rockin’ adult love stories (“Ride Shotgun”). “In Our House” is a poignant view of a marriage in the rearview mirror. Robbie also touches on social issues at times, as on the pandemic-inspired “Rise Up”. The album closes with the five minute blues-rock romp “Goose Blues / Party Time”.

Check out Class 1 Rapids in its entirety below, or listen on your favorite streaming service. You can also hear the songs “Never Fall (in love again)” and “Turn Back Around” on the Deep Dive : Pop & Rock playlist. Follow the links below to connect with Robbie Rapids.