Search - Bob Marley, Bill Laswell :: Dreams of Freedom

I'm late to the party...

Endless Karma | Pittsburgh | 12/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember ignoring this album when it was originally released because the thought of an ambient Marley record sounded lame. What a terrible mistake on my part! This CD just flattened me! There's a lot more going on than just a typical dub remix so some purists may not dig it, but if you appreciate ambient and good dub this is all you. I can't believe how well these songs work in this context (with the possible exception of No Woman No Cry; it's good but not great.) This is a sweet record to chill out to or to put on when you want the mood laid back. It sounds cool in the headphones but in a good system with big bass it really opens up. Bass players take heed: Aston "Family Man" Barrett will take you to school and in this dubbed out mix he's never been more up front. Listen and learn.
I was concerned that this was just an excuse to use the Marley name but it was obviously done with the love and respect that the music and Marley's spirituality deserves. Praise to Bill Laswell for doing it right. Wish I'd caught on sooner, but better late than never."

There is acid-jazz, and now there is ACID-REGGAE

Endless Karma | 09/21/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The concept of this album seems to be rather troubling to the traditional Bob Marley fans, who seem to only wish to hear his tunes the way he recorded them back-in-the-day. I offer no criticism of this attitude towards this album. However, I have a different attitude towards it. What Bill Laswell does with his ambient, acidic remixes of Mr. Marleys tunes is rather impressive. The vocals all but absent, anything of any energy level but laid-back-energy is also absent. But there is something special about these translations. No you will not be singing along as you drive with your friends, but when you're at home sitting on your couch, you'll really realize the magic of this album."

One of the all-time great albums!

David F. Nolan | Tucson, AZ United States | 10/06/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to hundreds, perhaps thousands, of albums over the past four decades, and this one ranks in my top 25. Almost every cut is great, and several are just superb! They range from haunting to hard-driving, and the technical quality of the production is unsurpassed; the better your sound system, the more you'll enjoy it! I have listened to this album at least 15 times now, and I never grow tired of it. I give this my highest recommendation!"