- Bunny Livingston - vocals

- Bob Marley (RIP 1981) - vocals, guitar

- Peter Tosh (RIP) - vocals

  line-up X (1980)

- Al Anderson -- lead guitar 

- Aston "Family Man" Barrett (RIP 2024) -- bass, piano, guitar,

  percussion

- Carlton Barrett (RIP 1997) -- drums, percussion 

- Carlton "Santa" Davis -- drums, percussion

- Tyrone Downie (RIP 2022) -- keyboards, backing vocal

- Marcia Griffiths -- backing vocals

- Earl "Wire" Lindo (RIP 2017) --  keyboards

- Bob Marley -- lead vocal, rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar 

- Rita Marley -- backing vocals

- Junior Marvin -- lead guitar, backing vocal 

- Judy Mowatt) -- backing vocals

- Alvin Patterson -- percussion  

- The Aggrovators (Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Carlton Barrett)

- Julie Anne (Judy Mowatt)

- The Barrett All Stars (Aston "Family Man" Barrett) 

- The Barrett Brothers (Aston "Family Man" Barrett and 

  Carlton Barrett)

- The Black Disciples (Carlton Barrett)

- Bob and Marcia (Marcia Griffiths)

- Tyrone Downie (solo efforts)

- The Family Man All Stars (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- Fatman Riddim Section (Carlton Barrett)

- The Gaylettes (Judy Mowatt)

- Girlfriends (Rita Marley)

- Marcia Griffiths (solo efforts)

- Hanson (Junior Marvin)

- The Keef Hartley Band (Junior Marvin)

- Harry J. All Stars (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- The Hippy Boys (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- Keith Hudson and Family Man( Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- The I Threes (Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt)

- I & T Productions (Carlton Barrett)

- The Icebreakers (Carlton Barrett)

- Impact All Stars (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- Inner Circle (Carlton Barrett and Tyrone Downie)

- Jamaica United  (Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt)

- Julien and Jean  (Judy Mowatt)

- Byron Lee and the Dragonaires (Marcia Griffiths)

- Lights of Love (Judy Mowatt)

- Bunny Livingston (solo efforts)

- Rita Marley (solo efforts)

- Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers (Aston "Family Man" Barrett

  Tyrone Downie and Earl Lindo)

- Junior Marvin (solo efforts)

- Judy Mowatt (solo efforts)

- The Nairobe Sisters (Judy Mowatt)

- The Nightimers (Junior Marvin)

- The Now Generation (Tyrone Downie) and Earl Lindo)

- The Original Wailers (Al Anderson)

- The Revolutionaries  (Earl Lindo)

- Roots Architects (Carlton Barrett and Tyrone Downie)

- The Soul Syndicate (Carlton Barrett)

- The Soulettes (Rita Marley)

- Tom Tom (Tyrone Downie)

- Peter Tosh (solo efforts)

- The Unforgettables (Judy Mowatt)

- The Upsetters (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- The Wailers (Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Earl Lindo)

- The Wailer All Stars (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

- Youth Professional Band (Aston "Family Man" Barrett)

Genre: reggae

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Early Music

Company: Calla

Catalog: 34760

Year: 1977

Country/State: Jamaica

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 4

Price: $8.00

Cost: $66.00

As the title says, this 1977 set foudn Epic Records trying to cash in on Bob Marley's sudden worldwide success (interestingly, Marley was signed to Chris Blackwell's Island Records at the time).  A ten track compilation, "Early Music" pulled together a mixture of mid-1960s Jamaican hits and misses that were recorded by the band with produced Clement Dodd.  The album clearly isn't for anyone, but it'll find an audience with hardcore fans and those that are curious about Marley's early influences  I always knew that and company were heavily influenced by American soul, but the influence isn't seven subtle on tracks such as 'It Hurts To Be Alone', 'I'm Still Waiting' and 'Do You Remember'.    

"Early Music" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Wings of a Dove

2.) It Hurts To Be Alone   (Junior Bratwaite) - 

3.) I'm Still Waiting   (Bob Marley) - 

4.) Who Feels It   (Neville Livingston)

5.) Do You Remember   (Bob Marley) - 

(side 2)

1.) Dancing Shoes   (Neville Livingston) - 

2.) I Don't Need You Love   (Bob Marley) - 

3.) Lonesome Track   (Bob Marley - Neville Livingston) - 

4.) Do You Feelt he SameWy   (Bob Marley) - 

5.) The Ten Commandments of Love   (M. Paul) -

Genre: reggae

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Uprising

Company: Island

Catalog: 90036-1

Year: 1980

Country/State: Kingston, Jamaica

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: --

Price: $30.00

Cost: $66.00

I'll admit that my opinion of 1980's "Uprising" has changed over the years.  I originally bought the album while in college and remember thinking Chris Blackwell and the folks at Island had pushed Bob Marley and company too far into the commercial direction.  Mind you, I could hum along with\ radio hits like "Pimper's Paradise" and "Could You Be Loved", but the grooves just seemed too calculated and  easy-going.  In spite of my reservations this is one of the Marley album's I've kept in my collection for some fifty plus years.   On those occasions I've pulled it out for a spin I've found that it has increasing grown on me.  What I originally heard as being a "corporate sell out" is no longer such.

Produced by Marley with Chris Blackwell listed as executive producer, 1980's "Uprising" was the man's twelfth studio set.  Sadly it marked the final album recorded prior to his May 1981 death.  Featuring ten Marley originals, listening to the collection for the first time in several years I was surprised at how much of the set reflected an activist, secular agenda.  "Coming In from the Cold", "Real Situation", "Pimper's Paradise" "We and Dem" seemingly addressed themes including the need for personal resiliency, never ending violence, the costs of life in the fast lane and social/class warfare. The themes were frequently dark and disturbing, but wrapped in some of Marley and The Wailers' smoothest performances, it was easier to take the medicine he was handing out.  Perhaps part of my new found appreciation for the album is a reflection of getting older.  My family has gone through some challenges over the last couple of years.  I've retired.  I've grown increasingly unhappy with the way culture is evolving.  Maybe I just pay more attention to lyrics ...  Elsewhere, perhaps aware of his future, tracks, like "Zion Train", "Forever Loving Jah" and "Redemption Song" were clearly reflections on Marley's religious beliefs.  I've always wondered if Marley selected the late Neville Garrick's cover art knowing he as dying.  Anyhow, today this stands as one of those album's where every track resonates with me.  Among the personal highlights was "Work" with its message underscoring persistence and doing one's best.  Even better was the album's most commercial offering - "Could You Be Loved".  Great album and a nice place for someone to start their investigation of Marley's musical career.

"Uprising" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Coming In from the Cold (Bob Marley) - 4:30 rating: **** stars

"Coming in from the Cold" is an interesting performance given it seems to have resonated with thousands of folks facing a stunning array of personal challenges.  If you pull it up on YouTube you'll see comments acknowledging the track as having the through divorce, homelessness, addiction, mental challenges, loneliness, etc.  It's a stunning commentary on the song's message of personal resilience, hope, strength in societal struggles, and hope for a better life. Add to that, the song is catchy as all.  The song also appeared as the "B" side on Marley's "Redemption Song " 45. YouTube has a clip of Marley performing a stark, acoustic version of the song for Earl ‘Roots Man’ Chin's New York-based Rockers television program:  Bob Marley - Comin In From The Cold Live And Unplugged

- 1980's "Coming in from the Cold" (mono) b/w "Coming in from the Cold" (stereo) (Island catalog number IS 49636)

2.) Real Situation (Bob Marley) - 3:08 rating: **** stars 

Armageddon anyone? "Real Situation" came out when my family had just returned from three years in Europe and the world was seemingly on the edge of disaster.  I clearly remember Europeans protesting against the deployment of American cruise missiles.  I remember American officials arguing they were necessary to defend the continent from ever more belligerent threats form the Warsaw Pact.  And against that background I remember thinking Marley's commentary of the seemingly unstoppable cycle of violence and destruction was naive and trite. Funny how Marley's comments resonate more today than ever.

3.) Bad Card (Bob Marley) - 2:50 rating: **** stars

"Bad Card" has always fascinated me for blending a smooth, easy-going melody with some of his most cutting lyrics.  While the song never openly named the target of Marley's fury, potential targets included Jamaican politicians like former Prime Minister Michael Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga, or Marley's former manager Dan Taylor who was thought to have stolen a significant chunk of change from Marley's estate.  To my ears the message was you really didn't want to upset the man.  This track was released as a Jamaican single:

- 1980's "Bad Card" b/w "Rub-A-Dub Style" (Tuff Gong catalog number none)

The sound and video quality aren't great, but YouTube has a black and white clip of Marley performing the song at Tuff Gong Studios:  Bob Marley - Bad Card - Tuff Gong Studio 1980

4.) We and Dem (Bob Marley) - 3:12  rating: **** stars

Class warfare?  Politicians who don't give a sh*t about their constituents?  Schoolyard bullies?  All of them could be the target of this breezy tune.  Usually I'm not a big scat fan, but Marley sounded great scatting on this one.  The I Threes were prominent on this one.  The video and sound quality are poor, but YouTube has an extended in-studio rehearsal of the tune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Ugb_o09O4&list=RD63Ugb_o09O4&start_radio=1 

5.) Work (Bob Marley) - 3:41  rating: **** stars

Powered by one of Junior Marvin's most melodic lead guitar performances, "Work" stands as one of the album's standout performances.  The track's always struck a chord with the way my parents lived and raised their children - be persistent; be trust-worthy and always try to do your best and the right thing.  Recorded at a June 1980 performance in Dortmund, Germany, YouTube has a wonderful performance of the song::  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A45Xbw2H-sg&list=RDA45Xbw2H-sg&start_radio=1 

(side 2)

1.) Zion Train (Bob Marley) - 3:36 rating: **** stars

Admittedly I know virtually nothing about Rastafarian beliefs ("Two thousand years of history (Black history); Could not be wiped so easily ..."), but that doesn't stop me from loving "Zion Train".  Al Anderson on wah-wah guitar.  The chorus is simply "Gorilla Glue" catchy.  The I Threes are prominent and Aston "Family Man" Barrett's bass line is awesome.  Here's another performances from Marley's 1980 Dortmund Germany concert: Bob Marley The Wailers Zion Train Dortmund 1980

2.) Pimper's Paradise (Bob Marley) - 3:27 rating: **** stars 

In spite of the dark warning, "Pimper's Paradise" boasted one of Marley's smoothest vocals and the album's catchiest melody.  I clearly remember hearing it and humming the tune for weeks.  In spite of the female oriented narrative, lyrically I always took the song to be a warning about the threats associated with the "fast" lifestyle - what can be attractive and exciting can easily take over your life leaving you with nothing but sorrow and regret.   

3.) Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley) - 3:57 rating: **** stars  

Perhaps the Marley song most folks are familiar with ...  "Could You Be Loved" is certainly one the most commercial offerings in his recording catalog and easily the most commercial song on "Uprising".  The I-Threes shine in the song's middle section where they quote some lyrics from Marley's previous song "Judge Not".   Besides Marley's joyful vocals, I've always loved the bubbly Clavinet (not sure if it was played by Tyrone Downie or Earl "Wire" Lindo).  For years I wondered what the weird percussion sound was - turns out it was a Brazilian cuíca (best described as a "Friction drum").  The song was released as the album's first single.  

  7" US single

- 1980's "Could You Be Loved" b/w "Ride Natty Ride" (Island catalog number IS 49547)

  12" US single

- 1980's "Could You Be Loved" b/w nothing (Island catalog number PRO A-902)

4.) Forever Loving Jah (Bob Marley) - 3:52 rating: *** stars

Clearly a personal song, this is one where I would not dare to guess the inspiration, or underlying meanings.  Enough to say it is typically bouncy and The I-Threes seldom sounded as good.

5.) Redemption Song (Bob Marley) - 3:47 rating: ***** stars

Just Marley accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, "Redemption Song" has always struck me as the album's most stunning performance.   It's not a reggae track, rather comes across as a Dylan-styled slice of singer/songwriter material.  Not a criticism, but technically the song should probably have included a co-writing credit to Marcus Garvey's who Marley quoted in the song ("Emancipate yourself from mental slavery ...")  (For hardcore fans the 2001 reissue package includes a band version of "Redemption Song".) 

The song was released as a single:

  US 7" format

- 1980's "Redemption Song" b/w "Coming In from the Cold" (Island catalog number IS 49636)

  US 12" format (2020 Record Day release)

- 2020 "Redemption Song" and "Redemption Song" (Band Edit Version) b/w "I Shot The Sheriff (Live At The Rainbow) (Island catalog number 12WIP 6653)

There are also a couple of promotional videos:  Bob Marley - Redemption song (Music Video) - YouTube   Another was an animated effort created by French artists Octave Marsal & Theo De Gueltzl: Bob Marley & The Wailers - Redemption Song (Official Music Video) - YouTube

 © Scott R. Blackerby March 2026