Feb 6, 2011
Had he not been taken from us too soon by cancer, Bob Marley would have been 65 years old today. In a world where we bandy about the words "iconic" and "seminal" all too often, Bob Marley and his music were both.
The son of a racially mixed marriage, he became not only the embodiment of reggae music for much of the world, but also a symbol for religious and political freedom. And his songs? They have become rallying cries for the impoverished ("Them Belly Full"), the persecuted ("Get Up, Stand Up"), and lovers of life ("One Love", which I feel is the closest thing to a world-wide anthem. joined only by John Lennon's "Imagine").
Let's celebrate the birthday with a track from saxophonist Donald Harrison's 1997 release on Impulse! Nouveau Swing, appropriately enough entitled "Bob Marley". There's a feel of Marley's "Exodus" in the beat, courtesy of bass player Reuben Roger's Carribean feel. Enjoy!