Bob Marley & The Wailers - Bob Marley & The Wailers: Roots, Rock, Remixed

Marley’s gone but his revenue lives on

Hot on the heels of the celebrations highlighting 30 years since the launch of Marley’s Exodus album comes a set of new remixes of early 70s Bob Marley & The Wailers’ work. Our expectations were low, as faceless remixes of music we love don’t normally bring anything fresh or new to the record deck; but, surprise surprise, this album is pretty good. Afrodisiac Sound System do a neat job on Soul Rebel, and it’s quite mesmerising, just as the original Lee Perry-produced cut is. The 70s vibe of Marley’s work is still present, with just a deeper, more modern/contemporary feel given to the rhythm. Soul Shakedown Party is also given the Afrodisiac treatment, emerging as a funky little number that’s sure to move feet in the right establishments. DJ Spooky’s fiddling with Rainbow Country is pretty weak, as he doesn’t seem to “feel” the music, but on the whole the mixers do a decent job remodelling the Wailers’ reggae to modern dancefloor filler fare. If you’ve an open mind, Roots, Rock, Remixed is a good revamp of classic Wailers material, and Chris Blackwell endorses it – whatever that may mean!

Kartel/Vital | RRCMR 0701

Reviewed by Michael de Koningh
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