Bob Marley

CD received promptly and in excellent condition as promised. Definitely would use this merchant again.

A wonderful CD to listen to while exercising, with just the right tempo to take you from build up to cool down.

Required for anyone who loves Bob Marley or just wants to get to know his music. I listen to it all the time. Pick one up and get "Jah lost in the reggae".

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3DK1AJJBR7P5I

have a couple cassette tapes of cheap studio time-love the earthiness of his sound. you can hear the steel drums and the rushing of the dunns river falls in his music. this cd is too cleaned up. no rasta here, mon. guess i need to find his older stuff for the sound i crave.

Bob Marley is still King! I loved this collection so much that I purchased one for myself, my mother and a co-worker who loves Bob as much if not more than I do. Rock on!

This is a wonderful collection of Bob Marley's work. It starts from the earliest period of his work and is arranged chronologically to the latest period. If you don't want to purchase all of his albums, this boxed set is a good cross section of his songs. I'm playing it from start to finish all of the time. I'm glad they produced this product.

Whether you are Bob Marley fan or not this is one of the greatest albums ever.

I've been listening to songs by Bob Marley most of my life, but was unaware of it as they were often covered by others. Just recently, though, I've rediscovered his music and started listening seriously, and now I can't stop; almost everything I've heard is simply amazing. It's rare to find an artist who can mix politics, personal stories, love songs and ballads, and do all of them equally well. Bob writes and sings so beautifully, and I am so grateful his music has come back into my life.

bob Marley just touches my heart when i listen to him. it reminds me of the evolution.

2 1/2

It's just average to me. Debut significance and any innovation credit aside, almost all tracks here are just forgettable compared to his next few years when he and the band hit a creative stride. The traditional sound remains, although mainly butchered beyond stereotype in most cases with luke-warm songwriting and sterile backing vocals. A few tracks that crept out to land on further compilations obviously pointed at deeper melodic strength which was to come. Fans undoubtedly embrace this as early gospel, but those looking around as a starting point would do well to steer clear.

The opening to the first track on the album 'Concrete Jungle' is sort of a metaphor for the groups career with Marley. They slowly gained power and notoriety then exploded for a seemingly long groove then came to a sudden stop. 'Concrete Jungle' sets the pace for the rest of the album which happens to be the groups first. This is the ying to the yang that was the bands second album Burnin.' While that album was much darker and angrier Catch A Fire is more about peace and togetherness.

Songs like the opener, along side 'Slave Driver' and 'No More Trouble' are the kind of classic social commentary Marley became known for in his lyrics. The hit 'Stir It Up' along side 'Kinky Reggae' and 'Baby We've Got A Date' show a different side however, they show the lover that Marley was and his love for women.

The over all music on Catch A Fire is among the best Bob Marley & The Wailers ever released, if not the best. The musicianship of Tosh and Bunny Wailer propel this from just a good album to a masterpiece of reggae music. Sadly those two would leave the Wailers after the next album Burnin' drastically changing the bands sounds forever. The band went on to massive popularity with their later releases such as Uprising and Exodus but it is Catch A Fire that remains Marley & The Wailers' best and most consistent album.

In 1973, this album popularized reggae on the world stage, and for very good reason. The guitar and drum work on this album is amazing. My favorite track is the opener, "Concrete Jungle," the solo on steel guitar is incredible. This song is about the slums in Jamaica of which Marley knew first hand. This album has it's share of political songs like, slave driver, 400 years, and no more trouble, and it had the laid back songs. The most popular is Stir it up, which has some great organ work. The singing on this album is also great, with Peter Tosh contributing to a couple of the albums strongest tracks, Stop that Train, and Four-Hundred Years. This was the first reggae album I ever bought, and played it in my car for a good month with few breaks. It blew me away, I was later more amazed to find other reggae albums I liked even more, but this is a great starting place for Marley and Reggae in general. It is very different from later Marley, which I like better, but is great in it's own right, this album is essential to any reggae collection.

Catch a Fire is a CD that I have been looking for for a long time.
Bob Marley is one of my top favorite musicians. It is a used CD, but in very good condition.

For lovers of music, this album, Natty Dread, and Burnin' are essential for your catalogue. Somehow Marley and the Wailers combined organic earthy rhythms with beautiful harmonies in a way not done before or since.

Bob Marley & The Wailers-Kaya ****

Kaya is the stereotypical Marley album. This is the album that satisfies that theory that Marley was a laid back pot head instead of a activist, street fighting man called tuff gong. Which blows my mind because next to Natty Dread this is his least popular album and only contains one true hit. Two if you count 'Satisfy My Soul.'

Many have a love or hate relationship with the album. The first half is genius and full of some of his and the Wailers best music. No one will deny this, not on my watch anyway. The second half is decent but could have been a lot stronger.

The entire album is made up of random tracks through Marley's career that for one reason or another didn't end up on other albums. The relaxed title track/stoner anthem dates all the way back to 1972. But most of the second side is left overs from the brilliant Exodus album.

'Could You Be Loved' 'Easy Skanking' 'Sun Is Shining' and 'Satisfy My Soul' make this the perfect album for the morning after. 'Crisis' and 'Running Away' while both could have been way better serve as conscious anthems making this a true Marley album. 'Shes Gone' is both sad and uplifting. 'Time Will Tell' could have been a nice change but comes up short, though it does end the album well enough.

Kaya is a great album despite being Marley & The Wailers' weakest effort. But for an album of left overs this kills. In my book Marley & The Wailers are one of the truly great bands. I feel they never really made anything bad, and Kaya is no exception.

First time I heard this record, i loved the first three songs, the rest were alright, and I hated the final two (excluding the bonus track "Smile Jamaica.") This album grows with more listening, and probably makes me happier than listening to any other album ever. It also is probably in my top three favorite Bob Marley albums, Survival is the best. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is the lack of political lyrics which I think characterizes Marley's most important music. Most of these songs are about love and relaxation. The very next album, "Survival" hit it hard with the strong lyrics and amazing music. The music on "Kaya," is almost as good, and the happier songs make me feel good. It is also not devoid of political issues, the song, "Crisis," is more somber, and contains some powerful political statements. Buy this album if you are a reggae fan, it is essential, and will always put you in a good mood.

This is one of the most powerful records in the Bob Marley canon, probably my favorite by the reggae master. The album is very mellow musically, boasting two of Bob's best love songs, "Is This Love" and "Satisfy My Soul". The whole album is just excellent, in particular the haunting "She's Gone", written in the wake of the shooting at Marley's house when his wife left him briefly, fearing for her safety. The lyrics convey a deep sense of longing, coupled with an evocative Junior Marvin guitar lick. Other outstanding cuts are "Time Will Tell", "Sun is Shining", and the title track. There are still political songs on this album, but perhaps not as overt as on other releases. The songs here are more reflective, written by a man who has seen some of the consequences of daring to speak his mind. They are the words of a man resolved to stand for his principles, but all too aware of the personal cost involved.

The remastered version adds the superb bonus track "Smile Jamaica", the B-Side from "Satisfy My Soul". The packaging is much nicer than the original CD release, as is the sonic clarity. Island has really done a good job in reissuing the Marley catalog. A reggae classic, highly recommended.

If you buy into the image of Marley as being this really mellow, optimistic, happy guy, this album pretty much will solidify that image in your mind. Even when the lyrics are melancholy ("She's Gone"), the grooves are so sunny you'd think they were meant as the soundtrack to some long-forgotten commercial pushed by the Jamaican tourism industry. That doesn't matter, though, because the first side of this is as good as anything else Bob has ever done, which for the most part is fantastic. Several classics - the lazy "Easy Skanking", with a slightly jazzy sax; the slightly disjointed, slightly menacing "Sun is Shining"; "Satisfy My Soul", a great reggae groove with a slight touch of R&B; and especially the catchy "Is This Love", with a great chorus and guitar hook. Oh, and the title track too, I guess. It's good. But side two slightly falters. Now, other than the gimmicky "Time Will Tell" there ain't a single bad song on this puppy, but I'd still much rather be listening to side one - it's loaded down with mediocre material, and it seems like most of it was just reprised from Exodus (a must-have essential classic that's amongst my favorite albums ever, thought I'd add that little tidbit) - "Misty Morning" has a similar horn part; and "Running Away" could easily be any track off Exodus' first side. I honestly wouldn't notice the difference. A couple other songs on that side are forgettable too, like the aforementioned "She's Gone", which practically defines "uneventful", and "Crisis", which tries to reclaim the "Lively Up Yourself" vibe. I mean, diversity was never Bob's strong point - he had a lot of other stuff going for him, so that didn't matter - but for the most part I can tell Bob Marley songs apart, even if they all fit a general formula. I can't tell these apart, though. Sorry. Anyway, side one's classic stuff, but I'm not big on side two, so I'm not really gonna recommend it unless you own the essentials - Catch a Fire, Burnin', Natty Dread, Live!, Exodus, Babylon By Bus and the compilation to end all compilations, Legend.

One can't fail to be moved by music such as this. Drop this disc into your digital player, slip on the best pair of headphones you can afford (the quality of the remaster is astounding, with superb dynamics audible even at low volumes), and really listen...listen as if your ears were brand new, and let this music penetrate your soul...who knows, you might even envision living in a world where the Golden Rule was not about who has the gold. Perhaps you might begin to understand the singular power and universality of this man's music.

BTW, as this album is replete with musical subtleties, sobriety is mandatory for maximum listening enjoyment.

This album sounds like Exodus rejects. If you like Exodus (I do)and gave it 5 stars, you'll probably find this acceptable, and that's the problem: it's more-of-the-same lite. The first half is great background music, but the second half is where the good songs lie. In fact, just buy Legend. Give it 3&half stars.
If you feel that the REAL Wailers are captured by Catch a Fire, and Burnin', then give this 2&half stars, as the sound is weak but the production is top notch, just what the American pop rock audience wants. The band is on fire, but the writing is lacking, Bob is not singing his best, the I Threes are taking no chances, and the reggae is turned down and the rock is turned up. This probably sold a lot. I like the reggae better when Peter Tosh was around, the music was denser and more mystic, and the beat was more challenging with a real edge.

Good solid music from a master. Might not be his best
but a must have for anyone who likes his music. Great
listening for music fans and a fine introduction
for anyone who has none of his work.

What can anyone say about Bob Marley. We own everything he's ever done. Like fine wine, his music just gets better and better with the passing of time.

One of Bob's most acclaimed albums, and I like it, though I'd hesitate to call it his best album. It's a very political one, yet it's so upbeat you probably won't notice that - for example, the bright "Bad Card" has a staccato piano and cooing backup vocals. It's also him at his most melodic, with song after song containing hook after hook - "Coming in from the Cold" and the dancey "Could You Be Loved?" are two of Bob's catchiest tracks; "Real Situation" is also a nice slice of poppy reggae with, once again, socially conscience lyrics. There are some slightly darker songs to contrast this, like the minor-key "We and Dem", with fantastic guitar and steel drum parts - or at least it sounds like a steel drum, maybe I'm wrong here. Good one regardless. "Work" is also darker, and I like its suspenseful atmosphere. It's also got an instrument I can't identify - I can't tell if it's horns, steel drums, or what. It's cool, whatever it is, and you can't deny the guitar licks either. Really, I've only got one problem with this album, and that's the one-size-fits-all approach to arrangements. There are a couple exceptions to this rule - most notably the classic folk protest "Redemption Song", which is one of Marley's best ever and certainly the best song on the album; and the aforementioned "Could You Be Loved", a successful flirtation with disco. But after a while, I get the feeling that Bob took one generic backup track and decided to apply it to every song on the album. Take "Zion Train". Decent song by itself, but it sounds a lot like "Work" to me. Of course, I've already discussed that I really like "Work", but it's a bit trying to hear what is basically the same song on repeat, which is what makes it arguably the weakest song on the album. Even then, it's an objectively catchy song, very hummable refrain, and more solid guitar parts too. I suppose "Pimper's Paradise" is kinda the same way too, but I love the numerous vocal hooks and steady pulse on that one, so hey, I can certainly deal with that. So this is a really good album, but a bit more diversity wouldn't have killed it. Whatever, it's not like Bob Marley was all that diverse in the first place.

This is the last album released in Bob Marley's lifetime. It is amazing, just like everything else he recorded and released. Don't pass on this. Bob is the king.

If you are starting your reggae collection, this is the first album you should buy. If you have Legend already this works out because the albums don't share any tracks (the main flaw in Legend). I'd rather listen to this than Legend any day. This album has great music that is true to the genre. The aspect that I think defines reggae music is the percussion style, it is amazing and emphasized on this album. The most important thing about Bob Marley's music, is the political lyrics suggesting change. The album handles some terrible issues, but suggests a very positive future if we are able to "Wake Up and Live." This feel is evident in all songs, especially in "Africa Unite." The beats in this album are heart-thumping, and make you feel absolutely amazing. It's a pity that Marley's most important music is not heard by everyone. I think this album is better and characterizes Marley's purpose for making music better than "Legend." My favorite song on the album is "Ride Natty Ride," just an overall powerful song, everything about it is great. The weakest song is "So Much Trouble in the World," but I think it works well as an opener (not the way it was released initially). It's message is vague, but leads in to the rest of the album. The listener asks, "What Kind of Trouble," then the rest of the album answers the question. It closes with "Wake Up and Live." The message of this song is to do our share and to live without hate. The bass and the saxophone are also incredible in this song, I cannot imagine a better song order for this album, and I can't imagine any music being better than this, and i listen to a lot of music.

Survival, it seems, has been swallowed by history. Oh, that cover art was controversial, all right, but that's all it's remembered as. That one with the cover - depicting the Middle Passage - that was censored in South Africa. Now, let's actually talk about the music contained therein, shall we? I think we shall. It's good mostly, brilliant occasionally. Musically it's just the same old, same old - there's not a single experimental album in Marley's catalog. There are occasional ornamentations, like a horn section on "Top Rankin'" and the title track, but for the most part this follows the same sound he had been successfully milking since Catch a Fire. But the key here is in the lyrics, featuring some of Bob's best protest material on tracks like "So Much Trouble in the World", "Africa Unite", "Babylon System", and the title song. Basically, he's not happy with the state the world's in, particularly Africa, which was at the time going through one of the biggest disgraces to human rights of modern times: Apartheid. Bob protests it at every turn, and not only is he pushing a very worthy cause, he's also doing so in an intelligent way - fantastic lyrics, unforgettable melodies, solid performing and so forth. The title track is an especially good example of this; and the similar "Wake Up and Live" takes on a similar bent. And "One Drop" is one of his most infectious, good-natured songs - a heavy contrast to the rather dark lyrics, don't you think? Only there are times on this record when Bob gets so carried away with his message, he forget about the basics of songwriting ("Ambush in the Night"; "Ride Natty Ride"; "Zimbabwe"). And it's kind of monotonous, but nothing I can't overlook, because there's a lot of great stuff here. You'd be surprised.

Buy this album. You know Bob Marley doesn't disappoint. This probably shouldn't be your first Bob Marley album, though, as Catch A Fire and Burnin' are probably the best introductions to Bob' music. However, if this is your first Bob album, you won't be disappointed. I would list my favorite songs on the album but I just love them all. Get this album and be happy.

Absolutely an excellent compilation of song along the same theme of survival, atrocities. an album of hope and encouragement!!!
A must have Bob!
I listened the entire CD repeatedly and still couldgo on....

Jennifer R
Grenada

Huge Marley fan and this is a top album. Buy this or be sorry.

Bob Marley & The Wailers-Live At The Roxy *****

Live at the Roxy just might be even better than Babylon by Bus if you can believe it. The album contains the full concert of the Marley and the Wailers at the Roxy in Hollywood back in 1976. This being one of his most celebrated concerts, Live At The Roxy is a must have for any true Wailers fan.

This contains what is the definitive version of 'No Woman, No Cry.' This is the version you hear on the radio and on your Legend - The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers (New Packaging) collection. What is most impressive about this set though is that it is comprised of some of their lesser known work, but at the same time it is some of their strongest work. 'Burnin And Lootin' is among the groups top songs, and here they play with such passion and piss an vinegar that it makes you wonder if the original version of Burnin' can hold a candle to it. 'Lively Up Yourself' and 'Roots, Rock, Raggae' are the two biggest highlights here though transforming to of The Wailers greatest numbers into an uplifting live experience.

Live At The Roxy is among the greatest live albums of all time. It is a great album for Wailer fans the world over. Even the casual fan will enjoy this, as it is great for a long hot summer night listen. Live At The Roxy is essential.

Okay I won't dilly dally - I attended this concert and I have seen all the greats play - Doors, Hendrix, Dylan and even Black Sabbath debut concert at the Whisky (incredible). But combined with the fact that almost 100 tickets went unsold (see last paragraph for story) making the already tiny Roxy (400+ capacity) seem empty, and the fact that the small lodge (available to those who were in the "Roxy Club") was full of celebs, Linda Blair, Eric Clapton, Warren Beatty, John Lennon, Ringo - on and on, made this the most spectacular show. I hope Bob appreciated the high quality ganja that filled the room and may have helped to make this the most incredible musical concert (party?) that may have ever taken place in rock history. If I could relive one concert this would be it.
I arrived at the Roxy ticket office the morning the tickets went on sale and I was third in line. The first in line bought 4 tickets; the second guy in line bought the remaining 96 tickets sold to the public. I asked him what was up and why he bought all the tickets and could I buy some. He said he worked for Troy Tickets. So I went to Troy and bought some tickets. The night of the concert, shortly before the doors opened I saw the scalper with a huge wad of tickets: It appears that back in 1976 the fan base could not search out tickets to a concert that was barley promoted. So there he was with all those unsold tickets and I would estimate that the overwhelming majority of the tickets in his hand went unused that night, as the floor was half full. Karma. Can you imagine walking by the Roxy that night and someone handing you a free ticket to what may have been the world's best concert experience? It probably happened to several people. I was also at the Santa Barbra County Bowl concerts. The last one is available in DVD - Highly recommended.

Simply put, I bought this for "Trenchtown Rock". The songs and the energy of this album is amazing. This is one of the few live releases that make you feel like you are out in the crowd.

This CD is very dynamic as well... if you love Bob then buy it, if you are new to Bob, this is a great compliment to the Lengend collection released after his death.

One thing is for certain, this album must not be missed.

Not only is this the best live Bob Marley recording, I feel it is the best live performance I have ever heard by any artist! If I were going to be stranded on a deserted island with only one CD (Ok this is a two CD set, but you get the point), this would be the one. The entire band is just so "ON" in this performance! Buy it, listen to it a few times, and it will change you at the "Soulular" level! I also highly recommend Ziggy marley's live concert DVD of "Love is my Religion". I know, I know... he's not Bob, but if you give that DVD a chance I think you will love it too.

Roots Reggae. I thought I ordered a dvd but instead got this wonderful cd!!!!!!!! No matter what year this music is for the soul...

Bob Marley & The Wailers-Rastaman Vibration *****


While this may not be Marley & The Wailers' most successful, best, or popular album it still holds a special place in my heart. More then any other album in his cannon Rastaman Vibration is more social conscious then all his other releases combined. Social issues was something he had always sang about but Rastaman Vibration seems to almost souly focus around that. Good, Evil, political, religious, and basically any other subject under the sun is covered by Marley here and this is why it is so near and dear to my heart. When people are brave enough to address issues it automatically gains my respect but when they can do it in such a intelligent way as Marley did they earn my respect for ever. Catch A Fire(the groups best album), Burnin' came close but couldn't match the subject matter of Rastaman Vibration.

I feel it also important to mention the addition of Donald Kinsey and Earl 'Chinna' Smith on guitar. This may not seem important but they are in my book one of the best guitar duo's in all of reggae.

From the almost chant of 'Positive Vibration' through the mellancolly 'Cry To Me' on through the semi-scat of 'Crazy Baldhead' to the anthemic 'War' and the final notes of 'Rat Race' Rastaman Remains a consitantly strong album. The bonus track 'Jah Live' is a great addition to this already fantastic album but it is the second and third tracks that take this albums to a five star level. 'Roots, Rock Reggae' is an unheralded classic. Truly one of the very best songs Marley & The Wailers ever pinned. 'Johnny Was' however may be the best songs Marley has ever written, if not it is among them. It truly must be heard to appreciate. It may take a few listens but once it hits you it does so like a ton of bricks. Hope I'm not over hyping it...

Rastaman Vibration is the most over looked album in the Wailers cannon and I don't understand why. All the albums Marley released in his life time (not counting posthumous releases) were all five star, or near five star albums, so it amazes me that one could be over looked. Nothing is ever said bad about the album so it makes no since, and while I understand it is not their best it sure is not their worst.

This isn't quite as good as some of Marley's top-shelf work, but it's pretty entertaining anyway. See, here's the thing; there isn't really a bad song on this album - "Cry to Me" and "Who the Cap Fit" aren't brilliant, and "Cap", has an annoying keyboard part, but they're tolerable. However, there are only three true classics here, which is less than any other Marley album but Confrontation. First off is the opening "Positive Vibration", a sunny, feel-good Rasta sermon. Then there's "Roots, Rock, Reggae", which is a fun tribute to Bob's own music with sterling guitar and sax parts. Finally, you've got one of Marley's greatest protests, "Rat Race". But the rest blends together, much like Talking Heads' More Songs About Buildings and Food, most the rest blends together in a Caribbean soup - all the flavors blend together, and you can't tell one song from another, but you know you like what you're eating just the same. It's a good soup, see? There are places when Bob gets carried away with his Rasta preaching, and since I'm not a Rasta it kinda goes over my head, but it skates by on pure groove alone, as does most of Marley's weaker material. And some of the "Rastamen rule!" tracks have stuff going for them too, like fun scatting on "Crazy Baldhead". Out of the "soup" songs, my favorite is "Johnny Was", a slightly overlong but still touching ballad. Also of interest are the famous "War", a speech from the founder of Rastafarianism set to music; and the slightly menacing "Want More". I mean, I wouldn't listen to any track terribly often, but they're cool, I guess. Again, there's nothing bad on Rastaman Vibration, but it's no match for... well, a lot of his work. The follow-up Exodus alone is leagues better. This was a big success, making it all the way to #8 on the pop charts - it was his highest chart position in the States, but there weren't any hit singles.

Like every other reviewer said, this album is AWESOME. Bob's second "solo" album (without Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh). If you like any of Bob's other albums, what are you waiting for? You should have this already! The only thing I would say is that if you think you want EVERYTHING by Bob Marley get the deluxe-edition of this album. If you just want most of his work and don't really care about the rarities, get this one. Either way, you can't lose.

If you don't like these lyrics, you have no conscience.....
If you don't like the music, you have no feet.....
There are a few touches of 70's cop movie guitar that some people don't like, but roll with it, that was the sound goin' around.(Marley and the Wailers were never afraid to throw in something they liked).
If you like reggae, and don't own this, buy it, now.

Although I was introduced to reggae listening to a little community radio station around 1980, this album was the first I had to play on my own. I have just about all of Bob Marley's music now, including some hard to get stuff. But this will probably always be my favorite. Some of these tracks are pure perfection.
Favorite tracks:
1. Who The Cap Fit
2. Johnny Was
3. Positive Vibration
4. Rat Race
5. Crazy Baldhead

This record contains some of Marley's most famous songs such as Jamming, Waiting In Vain and of course Exodus. Beautiful writing and performances throughout the record and People Get Ready is steller. This is one of the best recvords ever recorded and stands up decades later. You really cannot go wrong with any Marley recoord, but this record and Legend (a compilation) are two good ones. Exodus is wonderful, but Legen has many of the hits from Exodus plus some other great tracks such as No Woman No Cry, Buffalo Solider and Redemption Song (probably my favorite Marley song of all of them.)

How could we not recommend the work Time magazine rated as "Best Album Of The Twentieth Century"? By the time of the recording of this album, Bob Marley had become an international rock superstar and a household name, preaching redemption through peace and compassion (and the consumption of copious amounts of ganga, a Rastafarian sacrament). The world was hanging on his every word, and he did not disappoint. Exodus has a sense of time and place, not to mention purpose. Songs like the title tune, "Guiltiness", and "The Heathen" provide the gravitas and paint pictures of a difficult world. But lighter fare such as the irresistable "Jamming" and the sunny, now-classic closer "One Love" keep the overall tone of the album balanced and optimistic. There is no better representation of Marley's singing or songwriting skills, and Exodus captures he & The Wailers at a performing peak. And, you can dance to it.

If you'd prefer, Babylon by Bus is a live collection featuring equally vibrant performances but including most of his best-known songs, and all performed in front of wildly enthusiastic stadium crowds during a European tour the band made during their prime. If you prefer a DVD, Bob Marley and the Wailers Live at the Rainbow is the one Marley devotees have voted his best, overwhelmingly. But whatever your selection(s), know that Bob Marley is the undisputed king of 'roots' reggae; and if not its sole inventor, without a doubt he took the music to entirely new levels of sophistication and recognition.

Bob Marley & The Wailers-Exodus *****


Released in 1977, the year that 'punk broke' Exodus was the most important album to emerge that year, not The Sex Pistols' Never Mind The Bollocks, not The Clash, not L.A.M.F., no, Exodus far passes those in terms of importance, and really in over all quality. The overall spirituality and tone of the album is very different from all the other albums the group had previously released. The same can be said for the production of the album and the band, both of which are tighter and sound better then any other album the band ever recorded, though that does not make this the groups best album.

Exodus was released and recorded while Marley was living in England after fleeing his home land due to a assassination attempt on his life. This may explain the sudden change in subject matter. Marley was always known for being very spiritual but it seems as though the hit on his life brought him closer to his faith, songs like the angelic 'One Love' the equaly big hit 'Three Little Birds' and the albums incredible opener 'Natural Mystic' are excellent examples of this. Marley had also been known as some what of a rights activist for his people, but living in another part of the world seemed to have brought peace to his mind about the harsh conditions back home because he was more focused on his universal truths such as fate.

Songs like 'Jamming' and the beautiful 'Waiting In Vain' brought Marley & The Wailers to the masses. These songs along with basically the rest of the album made the group giants in the United States and in the U.K. where seven of the albums songs became hit singles, and for that, bringing a whole style of music to the rest of the world on that large of a scale, Exodus is easily one of the most important albums ever made.

With such great songs and amazing musicianship in the group Exodus is a instant classic and essential for all those interested in any form of music. Though I must say that this is not the best album by the group, it is a very close second, but with out any question, Catch A Fire, the groups first album is the best. The group plays tighter then ever here, showing that change is not always a bad thing, that it is not something to fear, but also showing once again that Marley never wrote any bad material.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2ZNCZUEUFW2SS This has been one of my favorite albums forever. Doesn't need my rating, but I'd like to show how great it is for JumpRock.

This album takes me back to my youth living close the major West Indian area of London where this music came from every window or so it seemed. Great album

Not having heard any of Marley's other albums in their original sequence, I can't comment on how this stands up to "Uprising" or "Burnin," but none of the songs which haven't made it to a greatest hits compilation is especially remarkable. The studio version of "No Woman, No Cry" is jarring at first, but that's only because the live version is so good. The cut here is no less satisfying after one begins to anticipate the quicker tempo. All in all, there are no duds, but there also is never much of a crescendo of emotion or a very dramatic change of groove. In any case, it's a satisfying collection of pop-oriented reggae singles.

This was the first Bob Marley and the Wailers vinyl albums that I bought--and it remained one of my favorites. Long ago, at the advice of an auctioneer, I threw away my album collection. This is the first time in about 20 years that I have listened to this work, having just purchased a CD through Amazon. Wow! I recalled this as a very nice work, but I am delighted that it is as powerful as I remembered it from decades ago.

This is the first work after the breakup of the original band, with Peter Tosh leaving. And it remains strong today. I find it surprising that only one song off this CD made it onto the Wailers' greatest hits CD, "Legend." Anyhow, my reaction to some of the songs on this CD. . . .

"Lively up yourself": With Marley's work, the sound has a "laid back" kind of quality, but it is also hypnotic and powerful. This features some nice guitar licks by then new guitarist Al Anderson. A couple lines that provide a sense of the tone of the lyrics, so ably sung by Marley:

"You're gonna lively up yourself and don't be no drag,
You lively up yourself 'cause reggae is another bag."

"Them belly full (but we hungry)": An evocative song with a social and political sensibility. The I-Threes are the backing group, and they show well here. The opening lines set the tone for this work:

"Them belly full but we hungry.
A hungry mob is an angry mob."

"Talkin' Blues": The instrumental work is excellent; the percussion sets the beat nicely. The I-Threes again create solid backing for Marley's vocals.

"Cold ground was my bed last night
and rock was my pillow too. . . .
I been down on the rock so long
I seem to wear a permanent screw."

"Revolution":

"Revelation, reveals the truth, Revelation.
It takes a revolution to make a solution."

With those lyrics, this cut begins (with the I-Threes filling in between the two lines above). This is another overtly political song. The drum and horns start this song off well. Then, the words. This is another example of how much Bob Marley was a master of the reggae genre.

Marley's premature death is greatly to be regretted. In the rather short time that he recorded his works, he created a body of work that is powerful and some of the best reggae around. I'd recommend this work pretty strongly to those who like reggae.

No record collection would be complete without this milestone from 1974. It doesn't get any better than this.

If I were to suggest getting some Marley I would suggest in this order. (Accept for some early stuff this is all that I own,)
1. Live
2. Rastaman Vibration
3. Catch a Fire
4. Exodus
5. Burnin
6. Kaya
7. Nattie Dread/Babylon by Bus

Natty Dread is a real treat. Songs that I have heard many times in their original Jamaican version get outstanding treatment here. I understand this to be Marley's first effort without the Wailers.

He re-records Lively Up Yourself and Bend Down Low and breathes new life into them. The new songs are very good too. The band is outstanding throughout.

And don't let this version of 'No Woman, No Cry' throw you off. It's a different tempo than the famous live version but does work in the context of this cd.