It’s full of subtle nuances upon the original versions. Bob Marley and the Wailers Roots, Rock, Remixed [Tuff Gong/Quango RRCMR0701] features eleven distinct DJs and remix “producers” representin’ on this compilation, and quite possibly with the right air play and promotion, causing a renewed Nesta surge with this release, right on time by the way, as I always seem to feel reggae music more in the midst of a hot summertime. The theme of this album is Marley music enhanced with ‘nuff respect, thankfully. Like Chris Blackwell says, “nothing is lost in the translation”. Afrodisiac Sound System (why are all reggae DJ aggregations called “sound systems”?) introduces the album with their remix of “Soul Shakedown Party” in rollicking style!
When I play the original vinyl, and then one of these tracks back-to-back; for example “Lively Up Yourself”, the blaring difference is the fullness of the bass and beat on these new renditions. The Bombay Dub Orchestra has combined to break-off an even livelier and rejuvenated piece than the original; I didn’t think it possible! “Ooh yeah, Mon!”
Next, Duppy Conqueror” with Fort Knox Five on the remix, plays pleasantly like an interlude.
The bass tones are furious and solar winds deep on the sneaky skanking “Sun Is Shining”, the fourth track and Yes King’s remix. The feel is introspective skankin’ with a touch of traditional melodica, and Yes King is Mark Rae along with Rhys Adams. The next one that really stands out as a tune-wedgie in my mind is “Soul Rebel”; the hook is very familiar. My favorite on this album however, is track seven, “Don’t Rock My Boat” with the new version by Brooklyn, New York’s STUHR, aka keyboardist Don Chen and Film composer Nate Greenberg. It is both easy and deeply delicious. I like the horny trombone blip-note accents on “Small Axe”, cut eight, a cute and lively dub version.
“Rainbow Country”, has even more ska/skanking horn flourishes, embellished upon the original.. “Trenchtown Rock”, the facelift by Trio Electrico is the most electronic and edgy of all on here as Nesta refrains, “One good thing about music, when it hits you feel no pain,” True-dat. This otherwise instrumental is good “head music”, if you know what I mean, as is the next one “400 Years”, originally from Peter Tosh and now with dancehall DJ Jamie Odell or “Jimpster” on new mix. It’ll vibrate your hardwood floors!
Finally, the featured “Bonus Track” here is Cordovan’s embellishment of the Jamaican Bureau of Tourism’s theme, “One Love”. I actually will stay true to the original on this one, even though it was fun to play both back-to-back on radio recently. This was released just a month ago as I write this with a nasty hurricane Dean now barreling-down on Nesta’s former home, so go out to your record shop or music library and check it out. I’m not a big fan of sequels, but at least there has been enough time taken that all generations during and since the Wailers were in their prime back in the mid-1970s should be able to take some inspiration away from this collection. One might say, positively, that that these cuts are Marley and The Wailers on steroids; making you crave for more. Go figure, Marley for today’s underground crowd; Four-and-a-half dreadlocked stars.
