It's hard to resist remixing Bob Marley, as many remix compilations have shown. After all, Marley began in the same studios that created dub, which was the genesis of the remix revolution. Of course, a point can be made that the work of such a classic artist as Bob Marley shouldn't be tampered with, and it goes without saying that Marley purists will be less than happy with this or any other similar collection. But how can a DJ resist trying?

1. Soul Shakedown Party (Afrodisiac Sound System remix)
2. Lively Up Yourself (Bombay Dub Orchestra remix)
3. Duppy Conqueror (Fort Knox Five remix)
4. Sun is Shining (Yes King remix)
5. Soul Rebel (Afrodisiac Sound System remix)
6. African Herbsman (King Kooba remix)
7. Don't Rock My Boat (STUHR remix)
8. Small Axe (Paul & Price remix)
9. Rainbow Country (DJ Spooky's subliminal funk remix)
10. Trenchtown Rock (Trio Elétrico remix)
11. 400 Years (Jimpster remix)
12. One Love (Cordovan remix)

The best tracks, unsurprisingly, are those that stay close to the original. The polyrhythms are unfortunately stripped out, though most of them keep the loping reggae riddims, with a tendency to speed them up.

Going with the bad news first, the worst two mixes are "Trenchtown Rock (Trio Eletrico remix)" [think dub house ska] and "400 Years (Jimpster remix)". Both are so heavy on the electronics and the beats, the original can't even be recognized. In terms of Jimpster's remix, it stands up as a Berlin house track, or next to a Trentemoller mix, but don't go looking for the riddim, or Marley for that matter.

On the bright side, Afrodisiac Sound System's "Soul Shakedown" and "Soul Rebel" keep the vocals and the party spirit of the originals. Bombay Dub Orchestra's "Lively Up Yourself" is lively, with added horns where the beats are careful not to overwhelm Marley's vocals. The Yes King remix of "Sun is Shining" overdubs a melodica, an instrument used frequently by Jamaican producers that gives a nod to tradition.

Other remixers at work are DC's Fort Knox Five, UK-based King Kooba, Stuhr (the co-writing duo who works with Natalie Walker), Paul & Price, Dj Spooky and Cordovan. All deliver some nice work.

Whether this CD will bring new listeners to Marley or spoil his sound is hard to say, and the answer depends a lot on how much of a reggae purist you are. These are the first "certified" mixes of Bob Marley's music, embraced by both the Marley family and Chris Blackwell (founder of Island Records). Anyway, except for a few cuts that stray too far from the source, this album is well worth exploring.

~ Dave Howell

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