Exodus
by Richard Williams (Ed)

Sumptuous addition to your reggae literature

The 30th anniversary of Bob Marley & The Wailers’ Exodus LP has prompted a spate of Marley literature. Hot on the heels of Vivien Goldman’s Exodus book, and on the eve of John Masouri’s comprehensive history of the band, comes this good-looking publication.

Described by Time magazine as “the album of the century” (had they not heard Dark Side Of The Moon or Rock’n’Roll No 2?), Exodus had a lot to live up to. But, full of anthemic, hard-hitting songs such as One Love, Jamming and the relentless title track, it conquered both sides of the Atlantic, continuing Marley’s rise to superstardom. The story of its conception, creation, issue and aftermath is told by people who should know, such as Island founder Chris Blackwell, author Lloyd Bradley and, with insightful analysis of the songs, poet Linton Kwesi Johnson.

The Wailers’ arrival in London after a terrifying shooting incident, the composition and recording of Exodus and its companion LP Kaya, the return to Jamaica for the One Love Peace Concert and more, are vividly (though sometimes conflictingly) chronicled. Many unknown photos, some of them charmingly informal, enhance the book’s already considerable appeal. The album comes with it, so you can listen and learn simultaneously.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

ISBN 0297853228

Reviewed by Mike Atherton
<< Back to Issue 338

Login Here

Free Newsletter


Subscribe to
our email newsletter by emailing:

anna.bowen@
metropolis.co.uk