V.A. - Putumayo Presents Jamaica Reggae Homeland & A Tribute To A Reggae Legend (2CD, 2001 & 2010)

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Jamaica Reggae Homeland & A Tribute To A Reggae Legend (2CD, 2001 & 2010)

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Jamaica Reggae Homeland & A Tribute To A Reggae Legend (2CD, 2001 & 2010)

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Putumayo visits Jamaica, the homeland of reggae music and mythical artists such as Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, Black Uhuru and Toots & the Maytals. With roots in African tradition and influences from American Rhythm & Blues, Motown, soul and other popular music styles, reggae has taken the world by storm with its irresistible beat and powerful messages. Jamaica celebrates the joy of reggae with this collection of classic and new tracks by some of reggae's greatest voices. One of the most popular and influential music forms of the 20th century, reggae has traveled the world spreading its message of social and spiritual awareness. Reggae's popularity comes partially from its image and the power of its lyrics; but at its heart it is good time music, with a laid-back, funky beat that keeps your feet moving and your head bobbing.

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This entire album will have you on your feet dancing to the infectious beat of reggae. This is reggae at it's best, from Toots and the Maytals to Peter Tosh every song is terrific. It is impossible to pick a favourite, the whole album is one that you can play over and over. Unfortunately, due to licensing difficulties, Putumayo were unable to include a track by Bob Marley, but there are enough great artists on here to more than make up for that. Culture's "Why am I a Rastaman", Black Uhuru's "Sponji reggae" and Jimmy Cliff's "Give the people what they want", to name but three. If you are anything of a reggae fan, then this album belongs in your collection. 20 page booklet includes photos and information on each artist. Recommended.

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V.A. - Putumayo Presents Jamaica Reggae Homeland & A Tribute To A Reggae Legend (2CD, 2001 & 2010)

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Few people have made the kind of lasting, universal impact that Bob Marley has made with his music. In his short 36 years, Marley managed not only to introduce hundreds of millions to reggae but also spread powerful messages of peace, love, human rights and acceptance. It's no surprise that almost 30 years after his death, one can travel to any part of the globe and witness his far-reaching musical legacy. Bob Marley would have been 65 in 2010, and in celebration, Putumayo World Music is releasing Tribute to a Reggae Legend, a multi-genre album featuring artists from around the world performing many of his best-loved songs. The collection is the first tribute album Putumayo has produced and its first with five exclusive, original tracks. Artists who recorded songs for this release include Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, a group of refugees displaced to Guinea during the Sierra Leone civil war. They beautifully harmonize on a poignant interpretation of "No Woman, No Cry." South African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground contributes an original recording of "Africa Unite," demonstrating their signature mix of African folk, kwela and jazz. Original recordings of "Could You Be Loved" by Québecois singer Caracol, "Natural Mystic" by California reggae/rock band Rebelution and "Sun is Shining" by Ghanaian reggae artist Rocky Dawuni, add to the diversity of the collection. Tribute to a Reggae Legend is the newest addition to Putumayo's successful reggae series, which includes African Reggae, World Reggae, Jamaica: Reggae Homeland and Reggae Playground.

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Bob Marley's compelling mix of easygoing arrangements and mercilessly blunt lyrics have made him famous far beyond any audience he ever intended. Most people can relate, to some degree, with his mixed desire for listenable chords and a bold message. Listening to this multi-genre collection, I stand amazed at how so many styles of music can pay homage to Marley: they adapt his music to their sound, but he transforms them into part of his vision. Some of the tracks come from artists whose sound already jibes with Marley's. Rocky Dawuni, Rebelution, and Sierra Leone's Refugee Allstars are already reggae or reggae-friendly artists, so their renditions come out straight-ahead and reminiscent of the originals. Even artists who might sound surprising blend well: Hawaii's Three Plus and Robi Kahakalau may not spring to mind, but Hawaiian and Jamaican music have a long history of collaboration. Others may take you by surprise. French Canadian chanteuse Caracol and Brazilian pop nightingale Ceu play their takes on some of Marley's better known hits, producing a sound not quite like anything I've heard before. South Africa's Freshlyground doesn't bend their sound to Marley as much as other artists, but pay remarkable tribute to his spirit. And American/Indian hybrid Funkadesi blew my expectations out of the water with their muscular multiethnic sound.

This album pays off in Playing For Change's international version of "One Love." By mixing the sounds of several cultures behind a shared vision, this one really unpacks Marley's message, displaying it on a global stage. (Check out the remarkable YouTube video.) This track is also notable as the only one on the disc with lyrics not in English: multinational choirs sing descants in African and Asian languages, which really clinches the sale. Marley didn't live to see how far his influence would spread. If he'd ever known a South African lounge act or an old-timey Appalachian string band would ever pay him such heartfelt tribute, I'd like to imagine how flattered he'd feel. And for him to have such influence over thirty years after his death is remarkable. The Bob Marley story is far from over yet, and this disc makes a worthy chapter to that unfolding epic.

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