Exodus

How could we not recommend the work Time magazine rated as "Best Album Of The Twentieth Century"? By the time of the recording of this album, Bob Marley had become an international rock superstar and a household name, preaching redemption through peace and compassion (and the consumption of copious amounts of ganga, a Rastafarian sacrament). The world was hanging on his every word, and he did not disappoint. Exodus has a sense of time and place, not to mention purpose. Songs like the title tune, "Guiltiness", and "The Heathen" provide the gravitas and paint pictures of a difficult world. But lighter fare such as the irresistable "Jamming" and the sunny, now-classic closer "One Love" keep the overall tone of the album balanced and optimistic. There is no better representation of Marley's singing or songwriting skills, and Exodus captures he & The Wailers at a performing peak. And, you can dance to it.

If you'd prefer, Babylon by Bus is a live collection featuring equally vibrant performances but including most of his best-known songs, and all performed in front of wildly enthusiastic stadium crowds during a European tour the band made during their prime. If you prefer a DVD, Bob Marley and the Wailers Live at the Rainbow is the one Marley devotees have voted his best, overwhelmingly. But whatever your selection(s), know that Bob Marley is the undisputed king of 'roots' reggae; and if not its sole inventor, without a doubt he took the music to entirely new levels of sophistication and recognition.

Bob Marley & The Wailers-Exodus *****


Released in 1977, the year that 'punk broke' Exodus was the most important album to emerge that year, not The Sex Pistols' Never Mind The Bollocks, not The Clash, not L.A.M.F., no, Exodus far passes those in terms of importance, and really in over all quality. The overall spirituality and tone of the album is very different from all the other albums the group had previously released. The same can be said for the production of the album and the band, both of which are tighter and sound better then any other album the band ever recorded, though that does not make this the groups best album.

Exodus was released and recorded while Marley was living in England after fleeing his home land due to a assassination attempt on his life. This may explain the sudden change in subject matter. Marley was always known for being very spiritual but it seems as though the hit on his life brought him closer to his faith, songs like the angelic 'One Love' the equaly big hit 'Three Little Birds' and the albums incredible opener 'Natural Mystic' are excellent examples of this. Marley had also been known as some what of a rights activist for his people, but living in another part of the world seemed to have brought peace to his mind about the harsh conditions back home because he was more focused on his universal truths such as fate.

Songs like 'Jamming' and the beautiful 'Waiting In Vain' brought Marley & The Wailers to the masses. These songs along with basically the rest of the album made the group giants in the United States and in the U.K. where seven of the albums songs became hit singles, and for that, bringing a whole style of music to the rest of the world on that large of a scale, Exodus is easily one of the most important albums ever made.

With such great songs and amazing musicianship in the group Exodus is a instant classic and essential for all those interested in any form of music. Though I must say that this is not the best album by the group, it is a very close second, but with out any question, Catch A Fire, the groups first album is the best. The group plays tighter then ever here, showing that change is not always a bad thing, that it is not something to fear, but also showing once again that Marley never wrote any bad material.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2ZNCZUEUFW2SS This has been one of my favorite albums forever. Doesn't need my rating, but I'd like to show how great it is for JumpRock.

This album takes me back to my youth living close the major West Indian area of London where this music came from every window or so it seemed. Great album

This set includes the great songs that helped Bob Marley officially cross over to mainstream, and bring reggae with him. Although reggae music is still not as prominent as it could be, this set certainly helped it along. It has some of each type of music. Jah reggae, dance and rock. If you are a reggae fan this is a stable for your library.