Posts tagged with "Punky Reggae Party’"

Exodus: Deluxe Edition

The Marley Family, Island Records, and UMe mark the 45th anniversary of Exodus – named the “Best Album of the 20th Century” by Time magazine in 1999 – with the digital premiere of three of the four nights from Bob Marley & the Wailers’ historic run at London’s Rainbow Theatre and a consolidated, revised digital Exodus: Deluxe Edition.

Following an assassination attempt in Kingston, Jamaica, in December 1976, Bob Marley and his band moved to London – in “exodus” from their home country – and recorded tracks for what became both the Exodus and Kaya albums. Marley’s Exodus, featuring the timeless tracks “Jamming,” “Three Little Birds,” “One Love/People Get Ready,” and the epic title song, came first, which led to early positive reviews, ten early dates around Western Europe and shows at the Rainbow Theatre in London’s Finsbury Park during release week. But an injury to Bob led to the abrupt cancellation of the rest of the Exodus tour, including expected U.S. breakthrough shows scheduled for late summer, leaving June 1-2-3-4 the final performances by the Wailers that year.

“London was one of Daddy’s favorite places to be; it’s the city where his songwriting and creativity thrived. The Exodus album and his shows at The Rainbow are incredible examples of that. I’m so excited that his fans will finally be able to hear all four shows, in their entirety, the way they were meant to be heard, for generations to come.” – Cedella Marley

A select number of tracks from each of the four nights of the Live at the Rainbow recordings have been included on previously released Deluxe Editions of Exodus, and audio and video of the full concert on June 4 was released during the year-long 75th Birthday Celebration, #Marley75, in 2020. Most of the legendary performances from the previous three nights, however, feature slightly different setlists – as well as alternate arrangements – that have never been heard until now. Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at the Rainbow: 1st June 1977 debuted June 3, the exact 45th anniversary of the original album’s release; Live at the Rainbow: 2nd June 1977 followed on June 10; and Live at the Rainbow: 3rd June 1977 concluded the series on June 17. Across the three dates are 29 previously unreleased performances combined – that’s more than ¾ of the shows.

Listen to Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at the Rainbow: 1st June 1977 now HERE.
Listen to Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at the Rainbow: 2nd June 1977 now HERE.
Listen to Bob Marley & The Wailers Live at the Rainbow: 3rd June 1977 now HERE.

To round out the 45th Anniversary celebration, a revised and newly remastered Exodus: Deluxe Edition was released on June 24. The Deluxe Edition features the ten original tracks from the album, plus 18 Singles & Sessions tracks; 13 of them are culled from two previous Deluxe Editions and adds previously unreleased tracks “Natural Mystic (Alternate Version),” and “The Heathen (Alternate Version),” and the rare 7-inch versions of “Exodus,” “Jamming” and “Punky Reggae Party,’ the original B-side to “Jamming.” In addition to the unreleased tracks, the last two cuts were previously unavailable at all streaming services. Closing the deluxe are two additional bonus tracks: the edited live versions of “So Much Things To Say” from the June 1st show, previously released on the Deluxe Edition of Exodus 40 – The Movement Continues in 2017, and “Exodus,” the finale from the Rainbow’s June 2nd set, previously featured on the album’s 2001 Deluxe Edition. Each performance is otherwise presented unedited within their respective live set. To listen to Bob Marley & the Wailers’ Exodus: Deluxe Edition, click HERE.

In other news, Bob Marley: Legacy Episode Eight – “Rebel Music” recently received the Webby Award for the outstanding Video in Music category. The Webby Awards recognize the year’s best of the internet, featuring websites, podcasts, apps, and other internet services, and the 26th Annual Webby Awards was the biggest in history, with more than 14,000 entries from over 70 countries and nearly 2 million votes cast by nearly 500,000 users. Bob Marley: Legacy, an ongoing mini-documentary series, features a collection of intimate conversations and interviews with his family, friends, and fans, woven together with his original music, remixes, and covers. Episode Eight – “Rebel Music” presents a global conversation about the importance of Bob Marley’s work as a political and social activist and explores what Bob Marley fought for, who he influenced and why. This unique YouTube series provides fans a refreshing and cinematic journey through the life, legacy, and relevance Bob Marley still holds in this present day. Bob Marley: Legacy Episodes 1-9 are available on Bob Marley’s official YouTube page. Watch Bob Marley: Legacy  HERE

Bob Marley in Blue illustration done by Mina Tocalini of 360 MAGAZINE.

Bob Marley – Punk Reggae Party

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Today, episode five of Bob Marley’s Legacy documentary series continues with ‘Punky Reggae Party,’ an insightful look back at Bob’s time in and impact on London and the rest of the United Kingdom. Dating back from the mid-’70s to this present day, ‘Punky Reggae Party’ explores how Bob’s music and ethos captured the Zeitgeist, detailing his signing to Chris Blackwell’s Island Records, and the welcomed arrival of his sound and the impact he had in the United Kingdom, especially the London-born children of the Windrush generation.

Featuring interviews with music aficionado Don Letts, MP and former shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, award-winning British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE, and Chris Blackwell as well as journalist and broadcaster, Chris Salewicz, British-Nigerian women’s rights activist Seyi Akiwowo, the daughter of a Rasta, Hak BakerMarika, and photographer Adrian Boot, this compelling new 22-minute short touches on a post-war, multi-cultural Britain, the rise of punk, and how Bob Marley, the ultimate rebel, fitted into all of this and helped unite a country through his music. ‘Punky Reggae Party’ is available to watch on Bob Marley’s Official YouTube Channel. 

Also, today sees the release of one of the world’s best-selling and most loved albums of our time, LEGEND, available now on limited-edition picture disc. Featuring many of Bob’s most memorable songs, from “One Love/People Get Ready” to “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Is This Love” to “Jammin’,” “Could You Be Loved” to “Three Little Birds.” The album also includes eight more classics, in celebration of #BobMarley75, and is available from today in a limited-edition picture disc presenting the iconic cover shot backed with a previously unseen image of Bob.

Last Sunday, eight-time GRAMMY Award-winning Ziggy Marley performed an extraordinary one-off, virtual performance, paying homage to his father’s timeless catalog. Ziggy performed eleven of Bob Marley’s legendary tracks in an intimate setting that was live streamed on Bob Marley’s official YouTube channel. Following the concert, Ziggy participated in an exclusive Q&A on CEEK’s Virtual Reality content streaming platform, and a select number of 360VR tracks will also be available on CEEK’s platform. The audio of the full performance, Ziggy Marley – Bob Marley 75th Celebration (pt. 1), will be available as an e-album, on July 31.

In other news, Ziggy Marley released a brand new single, “Play With Sky (feat. Ben Harper)” today. The track, written by Ziggy, comes from his new upcoming family album, MORE FAMILY TIME. This release is a follow up to his 2009’s Grammy® and Emmy winning album, FAMILY TIME, and is due out on September 18. Listen to ‘Play With Sky (feat. Ben Harper)

Last week, members of the Marley family, in conjunction with Tuff Gong International and Amplified Music, released a reimagination of the late Bob Marley’s iconic anthem, “One Love,” featuring musicians from all corners of the globe, artists from conflict zones and children living in vulnerable communities to support UNICEF’s work to reimagine a fairer, more just world for children whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic.  All net proceeds from the sale of streams of the recording will directly support Reimagine, UNICEF’s global campaign to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children and to ensure the post-pandemic world is more fair and equal for every child. Every US$1 donated to ONE LOVE by the public will be matched by jewelry brand Pandora up to the value of US$1 million dollars. 

In addition, the Marley Family is announcing the Wrangler® x Bob Marley collection that was created through a collaborative process with Wrangler in celebration of what would be the icon’s 75th Birthday in 2020. The 11-piece collection launching Monday, July 27, features heavy reggae influences and revivals of Marley’s favorite Wrangler styles, including one men’s and one women’s denim jacket, four men’s and three women’s tees, and two unisex lasered shirts. Wrangler has worked with the Marley family over the past year to design a unique collection that commemorates a music icon who has inspired generations of people through his commitment to fierce idealism and powerful songwriting. In celebration of the collaborative collection, Wrangler will donate $25,000 to The Bob Marley Foundation. The Bob Marley Foundation, is a Jamaican nonprofit organization focusing on Education, Music & Culture, Environmental Protection, and the health and well being of the Rastafarian community.  

On July 31, the acclaimed ‘Marley’ documentary will be screening in virtual and select traditional cinemas worldwide. Directed by Oscar-winning Kevin Macdonald, the documentary features a combination of legendary music concerts, rare footage, and interviews with Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Chris Blackwell and many more. Blue Fox Entertainment will release the film theatrically. Watch the official trailer to ‘Marley’ HERE.

Earlier this month in continued observance of the late and legendary Bob Marley’s 75th Birthday, and in honor of the July 1st International Reggae Day celebrations, an official music video for Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” was released. Directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa and shot in Jamaica and New York City, the powerful visual explores two tales of a family divided by country but connected by their love and want for a better life for their children. We see a strong and loving Mother strive to look after her children in their homeland. At the same time, the father works tirelessly, isolated in New York City, working as a taxi driver to better provide for his family back home. The video shines a light on the importance of family and connection while confronting the genuine struggles many families face in the modern world, often forced apart due to poverty. The video for “No Woman No Cry” debuted on Bob Marley’s Official YouTube Channel. 

Lastly, SiriusXM continues with Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio on channel 42 through August 13. The limited-edition channel features the music of Bob Marley and his band The Wailers and highlights studio and live performances, widely popular songs, and rare tracks. Additionally, listeners will hear recordings from the Marley family as well as artists who are a part of the iconic brand and label founded by Bob Marley, Tuff Gong. Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Radio is available on the SiriusXM app in the Hip-Hop/R&B category, internet-connected devices and smart speakers in your home. 

Bob Marley, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is notable not only as the man who put reggae on the global map but, as a statesman in his native Jamaica, he famously brought together the country’s warring factions. Today, Bob Marley remains one of the 20th century’s most important and influential entertainment icons. Marley’s lifestyle and music continue to inspire new generations as his legacy lives on through his music. In the digital era, he has the second-highest social media following of any posthumous celebrity, with the official Bob Marley Facebook page drawing more than 70 million fans, ranking it among the Top 20 of all Facebook pages and Top 10 among celebrity pages. Marley’s music catalog has sold millions of albums worldwide. His iconic collection, LEGEND, holds the distinction of being the longest-charting album in the history of Billboard magazine’s Catalog Albums chart and remains the world’s best-selling reggae album. Marley’s accolades include inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1994) and ASCAP Songwriters Hall of Fame (2010), a GRAMMY® Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), multiple entries in the GRAMMY® Hall Of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2001). 

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