Best of the Wailers

BEST OF THE WAILERS - As previously stated, in another review, this is not a "Best Of" compilation but rather their 4th album release in Jamaica and the one and only release they recorded for the "Beverly's" record label owned and operated by Leslie Kong. He and his brothers, Cecil and Lloyd, ran an ice cream parlour and record shop in Orange Street, Kingston and their claim to fame was helping young upstart artists record and market their music. They had already made a name for themselves by helping to bring a young Jimmy Cliff's music to the world and now, Leslie had the opportunity to work with the hottest Reggae band on the islands.The album was recorded in 1969 & 1970, however, it wasn't released until 1971, against The Wailers wishes. This songs were written and recorded prior to the bands introduction and involvement with Lee Perry and this, plus the fact that Kong hadn't paid Marley for songs he had written and recorded for Kong's label back in 1961, was one of the primary reasons they didn't want the songs released to the public. They felt that they were just demos and not worthy of release, however, Kong felt they were solid songs and could bring both the band and his label more notoriety.You can hear the difference between the production styles of Kong and Perry on the release and rhythmically, it reminds you of the early Jimmy Cliff releases. I happen to love the feel of the album and think it is perhaps their best, overall, LP pre-Island / Tuff Gong record years. And that's saying something as I love all their early releases, this one has a wonderful feel to it that just has always grabbed me due in large part to the strength of the songs which were primarily written by Marley along with Tosh. They do a stellar job and the vocals are some of the strongest on the early albums with Bunny's, who I've always felt was their best overall singer, vocals coming through very strong.You have some early versions of tunes that would be re-recorded when they joined Island records and or became solo artists like "Soon Come"; "Stop That Train" and "Soul Captives" all of which happen to be the strongest points of this particular album. I love everything from The Wailers, especially during this time period. The songs weren't as polished as there later recordings which were aimed at a more Rock oriented crowd. There's nothing wrong with that and I love everyone of those records too, but these are the sounds of Rastafarian Revolution that was gaining ground and were the formative years for what I believe to be one of the top 2 greatest bands, the other being Earth, Wind and Fire, that I've ever heard.In my opinion, this would be a great place to start of those who are looking to get into the earlier Wailer material. It is truly the sounds of Reggae music as found in it's homeland and something that I think if given a try will be a pleasant surprise to the listener By the time of it's release, The Wailers were already gaining steam and being noticed both in the U.S. and Europe. Not long after the release of this album, they would find themselves in England, at the request of Johnny Nash & CBS records, who both would leave them in the U.K. with just enough money to return home. They would then have a faithful encounter with producer Chris Blackwell of Island Records who would after hearing their songs, advance them money to record an album upon their return to Jamaica. That album would, a year later, shock the world and change the fabric of music forever receiving critical acclaim and assuring that Reggae music was here to stay. That album's title: CATCH A FIRE.

Not the cleanest mix, but it is old obviously. It actually doesn't sound too bad at all now that I hear it again. If you enjoy the Bob, it is a nice addition to a Bob collection and has some good songs. Get you some Caution, but not if you are a child because F bombs will drop.

Not a compilation rather an odd name to one of bobs first albums. Normally "best of's" don't come out until later in life but this is early Bob. Only for true fans.

Great music,

If you don't know Bob, Bunny or Peter, this is your basic Wailers 101 to start from zero.

If you are anything more than a casual Marley fan, this album is definitely one to seek out. Despite its title this is not a compilation but in fact the very first Wailers project conceived and executed as an album in Jamaica way back in 1970. The titles all come from the same short-lived sessions for Leslie Kong who died shortly after finishing the record. If you like the raw sounds of the early reggae recordings by the Wailers (especially the Lee Perry produced Upsetter recordings) as much or more than the polished later studio efforts of Marley's solo career, this is a great album, worth having for Caution alone, a masterpiece by Marley, long underappreciated, and one of his greatest recordings. The groove they achieve on this track, led by a tingling lead guitar line, is extraordinary. Back Out and Do It Twice, both also written by Marley are also classics, especially Back Out with its laid back resentment. Peter Tosh's compositons are also excellent, expecially Stop the Train, and the only track that could possibly be called weak is a rather tepid version of the traditional Go Tell It on the Mountain. If this is the same version I own, released through Universal International in 2004, then the sound quality is quite good for such an old recording, though it varies from track to track. It is roughly comparable to the sound that the four tracks from this record that are on the Songs of Freedom boxed set have. The sound of the original recordings is actually quite different from the Perry sessions, having a less reverb-laden more Uptown feel typical of Kong. Seek out this album for a great listen to an early Reggae album (and it should be quite affordable too). Not quite as essential as the Perry recordings, but almost.

Ok

The Wailers music never disappoints

Tienen delante un gran clásico de The Wailers.Lo grabaron con Leslie Kong y fue lo último que grabó Kong porque murió poco después. Se encuentra la canción "Caution"... difícil de encontrar... disfruten...¡Ah!¡¡¡ Yo rechazo "toda voz " que dice que el Reggae es POP !!! ¡¡¡NO ES POP EL REGGAE, POR LA SENCILLA RAZÓN DE QUE NO PUEDEN HABER 2 REYES EN EL POP!!! ...ME EXPLICO: ELVIS PRESLEY ES EL REY DEL ROCK, MICHAEL JACKSON ES EL REY DEL POP...Y...BOB MARLEY...NO LO DIGO SÓLO YO...¡¡¡"SIEMPRE SE HA DICHO QUE BOB MARLEY ES EL REY DEL REGGAE!!!...BUENO...Y PUESTOS A DECIR...¡¡¡JESUCRISTO ES EL REY DEL REINO DE YAHWEH-DIOS!!!¡¡¡¡PERDONEN...PERO ALGUIEN LO TENÍA QUE DECIR!!!¡¡¡HASTA LUEGO LUCAS!!!🤣😂😂🤣🤔🧐😜😃😅

More people need to know about this album. Leslie Kong was a bit of a pop genius, and maybe this lacks the roots gravitas of later Marley work, but it is sooooo good to listen to. The Wailers share the workload more evenly and there is a strong flavour of US r'n'b running through this. It is very very good indeed.

Un must have quand on est un vrai fan. Les débuts de Bob Marley et les Wailers. Good vibes peace.

non male anche se sinceramente pensavo ad un altro disco, bel prodotto ma forse meglio i dischi successivi di Bob Marley