Rating: NNN
Weeks shy of the 30th anniversary of Bob Marley’s death, second son Stephen has released an album that honours his father’s legacy. Truth be told, Stephen’s entire musical career has felt like a tribute to Bob. But Revelation Part 1: The Root Of Life, whose more club-orientated sequel, The Fruit Of Life, is due in the fall, more explicitly carries on Bob’s passions.
For instance, Rastafarian religious icon Haile Selassie I was of immense importance to Bob, and Stephen pays homage with The Chapel, a redo of the reggae hymn Selassie Is The Chapel covered by the original Wailers in the late 60s. He also delivers faithful reinterpretations of Freedom Time and Pale Moonlight, but gets contemporary in Jah Army, a dubbed-out track with brother Damian and dancehall star Buju Banton that sounds off the fog horn.
Stephen has a raspier voice than his father but emits a similar compassion and driving spirit, especially on the Bobishly titled Break Us Apart and Can’t Keep I Down.
Top track: Freedom Time
