CATCH A FIRE
In 1972, Bob Marley,
Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer released the first
international Reggae album Catch A Fire. It was the
start of a long climb to international fame and recognition
for the Wailers. |
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BURNIN'
In 1973, the Wailers released Burnin', an LP that included
newer versions of some of the band's older songs with new
tracks "Get Up Stand Up" and "I Shot the Sheriff". The
latter was a massive hit for Eric Clapton the following year,
reaching number one on the US singles chart. |
NATTY DREAD
In 1974 Marley spent most of his time in the studio working
on sessions that eventually provided Natty Dread.
By the start of the year, however, Bunny and Peter had quit
the group and the band was renamed Bob Marley and the
Wailers. Natty Dread was released in 1974. |
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LIVE!
Touring for the Natty Dread album in the summer of 1975,
Bunny and Peter's missing harmonies were replaced by the I-Threes.
Among the concerts were two shows at the Lyceum Ballroom in
London, which even now are remembered as highlights of the
decade. The shows were recorded and later released as the
Live! album. |
RASTAMAN VIBRATION
Rastaman Vibration, the follow-up album in 1976, cracked the
American charts. It was, for many, the clearest expression
yet of Marley's music and beliefs, including most
significantly "War", the lyrics of which were taken from a
speech by H.I.M. Haile Selassie I. |
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EXODUS
Less than 48 hours after escaping assassin's bullets, Marley
played the Smile Jamaica concert to emphasize the need for
peace amid pre-election chaos in December 1976.
He left Jamaica immediately following the show and arrived
in London in January 1977, where he recorded Exodus. It was
rush released in May 1977 and remained on the UK charts for
56 straight weeks, properly establishing the band's
international status. |
KAYA
In 1978 the band released Kaya, an album which hit number
four in the UK the week after release. Kaya saw Bob Marley
in a different mood: a collection of love songs and, of
course, homages to the power of ganja. |
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BABYLON BY BUS
In late 1978 Island released Bob's second live recording, a
collection of vibrant songs from the June 1978 shows at the
Pavillon in Paris.
Babylon By Bus celebrated the Wailers' amazing talent for
performing live. The Wailers also broke new ground playing
in Australia, Japan, and New Zealand. |
SURVIVAL
Survival was released in the summer of 1979. Survival is an
album of pan-African solidarity, including "Africa Unite"
and "Zimbabwe". The latter was a stirring anthem for the
soon-to-be liberated Rhodesia. The song was performed by Bob
Marley at the country's Indepedence Ceremony in April 1980. |
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UPRISING
Uprising was released in May 1980. It was an instant hit,
which was followed by a major European tour that included
the biggest shows in the band's history. Uprising was the
last album released during Bob's lifetime. The closing track,
"Redemption Song", was a fitting final statement in a career:
a summation of all the themes and thughts that had created
it. |
CONFRONTATION
Confrontation was produced by Chris Blackwell and the
Wailers. Songs like "Chant Down Babylon," and "Blackman
Redemption" restate the Gong's faith in music and the power
of peace.
These songs owe their magnetism to the honesty of the self-doubt
revealed: Bob confronting the presence of good and evil
inside his own soul. |
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LEGEND
Legend, the most popular Marley release, features 14
essential and timeless compositions from his Island years
and serves as a warm introduction to his musical legacy. |
REBEL MUSIC
Rebel Music is an exuberant collection of Marley's most
strident songs. It reconciles his revolutionary fervor ("Get
Up, Stand Up") and vision of one love ("War/No More Trouble")
with his Rasta
roots. |
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TALKIN' BLUES
Talkin' Blues captures the time, in the mid-Seventies, when
Bob Marley and the Wailers took reggae into the mainstream
of popular music. Most of the tracks are from a broadcast
for KSAN radio in San Francisco, the only recordings from
the Wailer's first American tour in 1973. |
SONGS OF FREEDOM
From "Judge Not" to "Redemption Song," Songs of Freedom is a
vast and deep collection of 78 compositions, spanning nearly
two decades. Available only as a limited edition, the set
presents rare and previously unreleased versions of "No
Woman No Cry," "Iron Lion Zion," and "Trenchtown Rock."
It closes with Redemption Song, recorded at Stanley Theatre
in Pittsburgh, Pennslyvania, September 23 1980: Bob's last
concert. |
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NATURAL MYSTIC
Natural Mystic presents 15 essential songs from Marley's
1975-1980 recordings, a time of turmoil and great creative
output, personal transformation and a deepening belief in
Rastafari.
It includes the transcendent "Natural Mystic" from Exodus, a
stunning live performance of "Trenchtown Rock," plus remixed
versions of "Iron Lion Zion" and "Keep On Moving." |
DREAMS OF FREEDOM
The first-ever full-length dub treatment of Bob Marley and
the Wailers that covers their most influential and
groundbreaking work with Island.
Producer Bill Laswell notes "I wanted this to sound as if
someone had dreamed it (hence the title), where the music is
there kind of floating beneath the surface of your
consciousness. In the dream the songs themselves aren't
quite fully formed, but the rhythms and melodies make the
statement." |
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SONGS OF FREEDOM
SONGS OF FREEDOM has been reissued to the delight of Marley
fans worldwide. Songs of Freedom was originally released in
1992 as a limited edition set and quickly sold out. Now
offered with reconfigured packaging, one of music's greatest
collection of music by a single artist, Songs of Freedom was
reissued November 16, 1999. |
CHANT DOWN BABYLON
The new Bob Marley album featuring duets with contemporary
urban artists like Lauryn Hill and Busta Rhymes. Bob's
original vocals and instrumental tracks are remixed by son
Stephen with fresh lyrics from guest artists bringing their
different styles to the table.
"It was one of his dreams to get the urban youth of America,"
says Stephen. Chant Down Babylon brings Bob's Rasta message
to new listeners and livicated fans alike. |
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SUN IS SHINING
Palm Pictures, the entertainment company founded by Chris
Blackwell, released the dance remix of "Sun Is Shining" by
Bob Marley for North America on November 23. The remix is by
Ibiza All Stars and Messy Boys and is the Marley family
endorsed remix/version of "Sun Is Shining". |
