Is Marley reggae?

[oddsnobb]

Stopped listening to Marley around -77 when found out roots, dub and toasting, the true reggae sound. Now some youth give me hard times declaring Marley to be a reggae king. So I listened some Marley and thought dis ya no reggae stylee, no rockers, no steppers, no roots, no bass line, no brass only wonderful, cathy pop songs.
Am I too harsh on dem youth or am I strictly roots?
BWT the noise after "Sleng Teng" is not considered reggae, either.

[benjamin]

already debated this subject some time ago..
I consider myself a strictly roots addict and I still think Marley is the most prolific and accomplished roots reggae musician/composer ever (except a few songs I don't like that much). Sure he has a pop influence but lots of good roots rock reggae have pop or soul influences. No bass line ???? come on , familyman is not a bassist ?? Anyway we're free to consider him as we're pleased to but to me he is a real musical prophet and genious. A true revolutionnary.

[mick d]

Well, calling roots, dub and toasting the "true reggae sound" is a matter of opinion. My answer is: of course Marley is reggae. His albums are on the Roots Archives, right? Whether he is the king of reggae is also a matter of opinion, and other threads have explored this topic in depth. I don't understand why you wouldn't consider BMW albums like Survival, Catch A Fire, Burnin, Rastaman Vibration and Natty Dread to be the "true reggae sound." In my opinion, these (and a few other of) Marley's albums are true masterpieces of roots reggae.

[jahganja7]

is true that marley is not the kingston JA sound. there is not ghetto vibe to the sound quality of recording or arrangements. but to say it isnt reggae is a long shot. i too havent listend to him by choice in several years, but still view carly and familyman as one of the HARDEST drum and bass sections in ALL of roots music.

[greg]

this guy is trippin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
of course its real roots, just because some dj isnt toasting all over it doesnt mean its not roots. and by the way, family man is the best bass player in reggae! not robbie. dancehall KILLED REGGAE MUSIC. roots was originally singer songwriter music. and if you think djs are original roots guess what, THEY STOLE ALL OF THOSE RIDDIMS!!!!!!!!!!!

[huh]

BWT the noise after "Sleng Teng" is not considered reggae, either.

Got this wrong too !

[Gee]

its your opinion and you know what they say about them!

[Gee]

Forgot to say this was at oddsnobb

[oddsnobb again]

Must admit that Barrett brothers' work with Augustus Pablo is pure bliss, but bass lines in Marley music? Who notices. No memorable rydims, no DJ's chanting over, no-one tried inna dubwise, ´cos that music no reggae.
Marley roots?? Yabby You, Burning Spear, Prince Alla, Earl Zero, Rod Taylor, Culture is roots.

No bass guitar, no reggae maybe ragga.

[Nigel]

Oddsnob, your view is admirable but too limited. Of course Marley is reggae. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if it wasn't for Marley, most of us wouldn't be on this website debating him now. He was my, and a lot of others, Reggae gateway drug. I agree that his sound may not of coincided with what was going on in Kingston at the time but I think that's what helped him become one of the most popular entertainers of all time. If you travel extensively you can probably hear a Marley song any place you visit, especially in Africa, and Central and South America. His music is very spiritual and speaks to The poor and disenfranchised everywhere. I think that that these same qualities exist in the best "Roots" reggae music. He also worked extensively with Lee Perry, which should cement his credentials. I may not listen to his music as much, but I'm thankful he introduced Reggae into my life.