Bob Marley & The Wailers: Soul Revolution Part II - 1971


I first got into Bob Marley in October 1975 when a friend of mine played me the live version of No Woman No Cry that is now known the world over. After that, I got the Catch A Fire, Burnin' and Natty Dread albums and the rest is a huge part of my own history.

Now, it's time to get up and stand up.....

Soul Revolution is an early Bob Marley & The Wailers album, dating from 1971, produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. It is, confusingly, often referred to as Soul Revolution, Part II and the cover shows this. Part II was actually a dub version of the album that is now called Upsetter Revolution Rhythm - confusing, isn't it?

Anyway, it contains attractively rootsy, raw and sparse versions of several songs that appeared later, re-recorded and considerably enhanced, on subsequent albums. There is something appealing about the basicness of these versions, however and the sound quality is surprisingly good. Perry's production is, as always, excellent. Marley and his co-Wailers, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingstone are in fine harmonious vocal form throughout.

Put It On and Duppy Conqeuror appeared on 1973's Burnin'; Don't Rock My Boat re-appeared as Satisfy My Soul on Kaya, along with Kaya and Sun Is Shining while Keep On Moving was re-recorded around 1977 on the Exodus sessions.

Of the tracks that didn't re-surface, Brain Washing and the Richie Havens cover, African Herbsman are probably the stand-outs, although Stand Alone, Riding High, Fussing And Fighting and Peter Tosh's instrumental, Memphis, are all enjoyable.

Many tracks also appeared on the album African Herbsman and subsequently appeared on the many compilations of early Marley tracks that exist. Taking its rudimentary nature into account, this is still an enjoyable album in its understated way. The dub version of the album is ok, but it is an example of early dub, where you can still hear the vocals that have been simply taken off echoing away quietly in the background.

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