Confrontation

by

Bob Marley & The Wailers

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This album, though somewhat more rare than other more popular Bob Marley albums, is my all around favorite. It has a very "native Jamacian" sound, almost African, which I really love. Songs like "Jump Nyabinghi," "Blackman Redemption," and "Chant Down Babylon," are really reminiscent of the early-years Marley material. The songs on this cd are just excellent. My favorite by a long shot is "Stiff Necked Fools," which I happen to think is one of the best reggae songs ever written. You won't be void of classics here either...CONFRONTATION contains the wildly popular "Buffalo Soldier," and "Rastaman Live Up." This really is the best Bob Marley album. Somehow I think it would be Bob's favorite, if still with us.

This is the album that was put togethers from leftovers after Marley's death, which means that it is lacking in musical and thematic unity. Still, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have some nice music on it. Buffalo Soldier is the best known track here, a song that has probably done more to promote awareness of Black History than a thousand Black History weeks.

Most of the other tracks are pleasant and upbeat with springy beats and singalong hooks. Nothing wrong with Chant Down Babylon, Jump Nyabinghi, and the calypsoish Mix Up, Mix Up, but then the inspiration gradually runs out until the barrel is truly being scraped. With track #9, I Know, we have the worst track ever released in Marley's name, probably even one of the worst tracks ever released on a major record label. If this was a joke, it was in poor taste, but I guess it was just a desperate attempt to get enough songs together to make up a set for an album.

Good background music for almost any activity you choose. The title, Confrontation sounds, well, confrontational, but the music here is not.

However, it should be said that this album should not be a top pick for new Marley fans. Even if you already have the huge-selling collection Legend and want more Marley, you really ought to look at Natty Dread, Exodus, Kaya, Survival, Uprising, and Babylon by Bus before you go for this one. Trust me.