Perhaps the Best
Books & Music | New York, NY | 02/26/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Lee "Scratch" Perry really brought out the best of the Wailers. As someone else mentioned, many fans consider their collaborations on this album and on "Soul Rebels" to be the very best work either of them ever did. This is a genius band, and a genius producer, still finding their way. Most people would not even recognize this as a Marley record compared to the more commercial turn he would take shortly after, even though "African Herbsman" introduces many songs he would perform again and again later in his career. But again, this isn't a mere historical footnote--- the music here is highly creative and original, and has a churning, driving sound largely missing from Marley's more famous efforts. This is one you'll keep coming back to long after you grow tired of "Catch a Fire.""
LIVELY UP YOURSELF!
t'amant | WA | 04/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This packed cd (77:41 min) is like warm sunshine in the middle of a dark, rainy winter...I have been living through one of the rainiest on record here in WA, and this was a welcome friend (Duppy Conqueror: "Me friend, me friend - am set me free again". I love that song!). This Trenchtown rock is funky, spacey, driving, reverb-soaked Jamaican vibrations of the highest order. The production is way out front, tight sounding (not spread out, sounds like mono) snappy goodness. The bass lines (Bunny Wailer?) are flowing and thumping through your chest (turn it up) in a playful way and the back-up vocals are haunting, but sweet...ascending to a more beautiful space. The drums and percussion are constantly shifting the backbeat and accents in a cool, interesting way. The obligatory drum intro snaps each song into being. Horns come in often with sunny Caribbean waves of harmony while the organ keeps a subtle foundation churning underneath. And one of the biggest reasons this thrills me instrumentally...Peter Tosh and his ground-breaking guitar sensibility. I still remember how interesting he sounded to me as a young guitar player in the 70's (usually into AOR, prog and psychedelic music). They are twanging, thumping, singing and blowin' their hearts out here! REALLY FUN STUFF! I haven't even gotten to the glorious vocals of Marley himself - with this great set-up he isn't just your average good vocalist, this IS budding genius weaving melodies that float to the heavens. Over the Years I mostly only knew the later popular Marley material, but just recently ventured into the older material because of these great new remasters (which sound great by the way, and have extensive track notes/remembrances, though technical details are lacking a bit). I'm so glad I did jump on these (Soul Rebels is the other one - almost the same comments could be applied to it as well)! I'm not a fan that can put the songs or extras into perspective as to their relevance to the songbook, history or culture...but they are all good, which is enough for now. Thank you Bob (if you can hear me up there) and the Wailers for this gift of musical joy...SO SWEET, an easy 5 stars! Musical sunshine that helped me lively up myself this dreary winter. Enjoy often (it keeps calling me)!"
Best of the early stuff
E. Mcmenamin | the SPFLD | 04/30/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"lee perry's production is bass heavy, and this record really feels like an organic peace of work. the bass lines are awesome, it contains the best version of "trenchtown rock" and this album will get you on you feet bouncing around the room. small axe is amazing, this is my favorit pre-exodus record."
Track Listings (26) - Disc #1
