Rating: NNNN
Bob’s second son usually does his work behind the boards, most notably producing and co-writing little brother Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley’s crossover 2005 hit, Welcome To Jamrock. Mind Control is a less abrasive album politically but still has the same protest spirit, albeit with Stephen’s more velvety delivery. The hypnotic repetition on the title track definitely conjures Dad’s spectre, while Hey Baby shows the singer’s R&B range, with Mos Def throwing in a solid verse. The woeful Latin-tinged Let Her Dance should have been given to Ricky Martin, but Officer Jimmy, Traffic Jam (featuring Jr. Gong ) and Iron Bars make an excellent allegorical trilogy about herb oppression, based on Stephen and Damian getting busted for blazing in Florida. No doubt Pops would be proud.
Stephen Marley lights it up at the Phoenix Tuesday (May 15).