Roots Archives Forum

This follows on from both a conversation I had with Cloudy at my party, and also some posts on this forum:

Bob Bashing. I don't like it.

Bob Marley I am talking about. For me he is an artist who was loaded with talent and the Guidance of Jah Rastafari.

There are plenty of his tracks in my favourite reggae chunes list. And even one or two in my flight cases for playing out at DJ sets.

I'll admit his later stuff lost the edge a bit, but hey, the man was doing two things - he was trying to reach across to people who needed reggawe music and its unique message of upfulness. And it worked. Plenty of people went from some of Bob's softer stuff to get hooked on heavy dub. However, I don't feel he ever 'sold out', he remained a conscious man to the end and never seemed to be really 'into' the fame and wealth (unlike some other members of the Marley posse!)

OK, he didn't single handedly make reggae the outernational phenomena it became in the late 70s early 80s - but there aren't many other people who can honestly claim to have done more.

So please, please please, let's show all Bob Marley the uttermost respect, because he deserves it.

"because he deserves it."

And who decides that? You?

I think Leggo Rocker's points are fair enough. He doesn't say that no one else is or was more talented, he just said that Bob was loaded with it, which is definitely true.

Who decides that? Leggo...me...the millions and millions of others who have been touched by his message and music.

I'm with you Leggo. It seems like there are some in the reggae world who judge an artists value based on their exclusivity... like you get more credit for saying you are into Lacksley Castell than if you say that you are into Culture. It's a bizarre trend. Reminds me of when I was in elementary school, and kids formed little cliques to set themselves apart and try to be "cooler" than everyone else.

"My vinyl is rarer than yours! I win!"

Yes tingjunkie. That is definitely reggae culture, probably from when sound system guys scratched out the labels to remain exclusive.

Like Reggae Rough Guide says: 'Taken together, Bob Marley's Island/ Tuff Gong albums represent a phenomenal achievement, one unequalled by any other Jamaican performer. The music on them is, for the most part, far removed from the mainstream of what was being recorded in the Kingston studios in the period 1973-80, but only a reggae snob would find fault in this. It remains tribute to the integrity of the Third World's only global superstar that none of the moves towards an 'international reggae' style detracted from the message or the quality of the music. This is the essential nature of Marley's talent: he expanded reggae's musical and commercial perimeters while remaining tru to where he started.'

I definetely agree with it, even though I'm not his bigget fan. And it's utterly sad to see youths all over the world (especially in the country where I do live) to admire only BM and overlook others.

I rarely hear anyone actually "bashing" Bob... anyone who does isn't knowledgeable about reggae. I think reggae fans get frustrated by people who think reggae IS Bob Marley and Bob Marley IS reggae. So many people just buy Legend and call their reggae "collection" complete, neglecting all the other classics, many of which surpass much of Bob's own output.

Like so many other North American youth I started out listening to Bob, and only relatively recently did I start exploring reggae as a whole. I admit I rarely listen to Bob anymore, as the concessions Island made to appeal to a broad international market become painfully obvious and almost patronizing now. But you'll never catch me dead being a "reggae snob".

As you know Leggo I agree that Bob Marley is too readily dismissed. Your praise doesn't strike me as excessive and you acknowledge what some of his detractors feel about him. So can't see why your reasonable suggestion that his contribution to reggae deserves respect should make Jah Glu be so hostile. Lighten up Jah Glu - and if that's not an option for you at least be constructive if you're gonna go to the trouble to post. Say, in more than five words, what YOU think.

Sir Marvin your quote from The Rough Guide To Reggae states its case so well and reminds me how damn well written that work of devotion is - I've never read a better book about reggae.

You're right on the money Mighty Z, couldn't agree more.

For me the Lee Perry produced 'African Herbsman'is outstanding and should be in everyone's collection. Some of the finest rhythms and vocals to ever come out of Jamaica.

To everyone dat says Bob is "mainstream", commercialized etc etc....

Put on di track "Soul Rebel" (Lee Perry version).....

and feel di bassline!!

"Mainstream"? Dont think so!!

"Rougher than rough"?.... if I may say so.

*"......We go batter you around*

*Biff, baff, boof, those are the blows you're gonna get*

*Mr. Talkative, I know you will regret"*

**!**