Marley EP revisits classic tracks
Bob Marley was just 36 years old when an aggressive form of cancer claimed his life in May of 1981.
Despite his relatively short career, the reggae icon managed to produce a body of music that endeared him to millions of fans around the world and secured his place in the annals of popular music.
Some 40 years after his death, Marley's music continues to be universally enjoyed and continues to serve as a source of inspiration for other artists across multiple genres of music.
And now the man behind such classic tracks as "Exodus," "No Woman, No Cry," "Jamming" and "Redemption Song" has been thrust back into the spotlight again, thanks to the release of the new biopic, “Bob Marley: One Love.”
That film, which stars Kingsley Ben-adir as the legendary Rastafarian musician and Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita, captured the No. 1 spot at the box office in its first week of release and has remained there a second week.
“Bob Marley: One Love” chronicles that period of time when Marley was recording his acclaimed 1977 album, “Exodus,” and gearing up for an important concert in his native Jamaica.
The film has spawned not one but two recordings at the same time, “One Love” (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) and “Bob Marley: One Love,” which features music inspired by the film.
The original soundtrack has 17 tracks recorded by Marley with his longtime band, The Wailers, including a live version of “No Woman, No Cry” from a concert at London's Rainbow Theatre in 1977.
The focus here, however, is on the second recording, “Bob Marley: One Love” (Music Inspired By The Film), a seven-song EP released via Tuff Gong/island Records, the labels where Marley had his greatest success.
This recording features versions of seven of Marley's most popular songs recorded by a cluster of contemporary artists that includes Daniel Caesar, Wizkid, Leon Bridges and Bob Marley's grandson, Skip.
The Marley family had a hand in choosing and approving all selections for this EP. Five selections originated on “Exodus” – “Natural Mystic,” “Exodus,” “Waiting in Vain,” “Three Little Birds” and the eponymous "One Love."
Cedella Marley, one of Bob's daughters, had this to say about the record.
"The mission has always been to spread daddy's music to every corner of the Earth, and we were very thoughtful in handpicking these artists,” she said.
“Having his songs rebirthed at the same time we get to show the world his story through this movie is something that my family and I are extremely proud to be a part of.”
The message of love and unity that was such a big part of Marley's music is ever present here. The Marley family chose well for this set, and while every track deserves to be here there are some standouts. Those standouts include Skip Marley's cover of "Exodus," Wizkid's take on "One Love," Leon Bridges’ inspired version of "Redemption Song" and "Is This Love" by Canadian singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez.
The album also boasts some surprises, not the least of which is a version of "Three Little Birds" served up by American progressive country artist Kacey Musgraves in which she treats it like a ballad. It's different, but it grows on you.
My only real criticism of this set is that it could have been longer than seven songs. But if you are/were a Marley fan, you’ll find something here that will do it for you.
Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.
Doug Gallant is a freelance writer and well-known connoisseur of a wide variety of music. His On Track column will appear in The Guardian every second Thursday. To comment on what he has to say or to offer suggestions for future reviews, email him at dpagallant@gmail.com.