Chant Down Babylon - Bob Marley

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Thought-provoking
Quality and consistency of tracks	Mixed
How does it rate alongside the competition	Not applicable
Value for Money

Advantages:	Old favourites remixed as "urban duets"
Disadvantages:	Not for the purists; this isn't real reggae

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

---WHO'S THIS THEN?---
Why, it's Bob Marley: without a doubt the man who single-handedly brought reggae to the attention of the planet. He recorded some 700 tracks and 40 albums between 1965 and 1981. Albums, such as 1984's perfect Legend, are still being issued, and "lost tapes" were still being rescued as recently as 2001. He died in 1981 of lung cancer.

---WHAT'S THIS ALBUM LIKE?---
It's a bizarre concept. The mastertapes of old Marley tracks were handed to various rappers and singers in 1998 to add vocals or remix the tracks in a contemporary style. The results are at once spooky, sacreligious and intriguing. This album was released in 1999 amid a bluster of publicity and the first single release from the album was the Lauryn Hill-assisted "Turn Your Lights Down Low". Lauryn HIll is Bob Marley's daughter-in-law, by the way. Sort of (her child's father is one of Bob's sons - can't remember which but I don't think it's Ziggy).

---THE TRACKS---
My usual track by track listing with marks out of five for the track along with a little proof of how much the track has changed to curry favour with today's musical scene. I've called it T.A.P (This'll Annoy Purists).

1. Rebel Music (Featuring Krayzie Bone)
This opener, from his 1974 album Natty Dread, features one quarter of the hip hop/doo wop quartet Bone Thugs N Harmony who had their day in the sunshine in 1996 and have rarely troubled the charts since. Chart watchers may know them through last year's Crossroads cover by Blazin' Squad. The remix itself is one of admirable restraint and Krayzie Bone generally stays out of the limelight save for a bit of chatter at the end. Not a bad start, but the album goes downhill from here.
Original: 4/5
Remix:: 3/5
TAP: The stuttered Marley refrain: "hey you, have you anything on ya?"

2. Johnny Was (Featuring Guru)
Guru, from famed and respected hip hop act Gang Starr wants to be the star on this track. Two raps interspersed with Bob's vocals precede a "pass the sickbag" moment when he states: "Bob Marley: rest in peace my brother". I think Bob will rest easier if you leave his back catalogue alone, young man!
Original: 4/5
Remix: 2/5
TAP: Guru's rap at the end and his "rest in peace" tribute

3. Concrete Jungle (Featuring Rakim)
In my view, Rakim is the greatest rapper of all time. His appearance two minutes into this track wouldn't necessarily change my mind as it's quite a classy contribution to the track. Marley's original is almost lost in the mix but the original melodic beauty just about survives the rapping, sctaching and modern beats.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 3/5
TAP: The "live" hip hop beats that dominate throughout

4. Rastaman Chant (Featuring Busta Rhymes)
The first track on the album that retains a bit of the original's feel. There's no hip hop beats, just a beautiful plucked guitar and a reggae riddim married to Marley's vocals that for once do not seem to be added to the track as an afterthought. BUT! Two minutes in that all changes. Busta Rhymes makes a couple of half-hearted, two-line raps and disappears only to return complete with Jamaican accent lamenting the misunderstood rastafari culture. Quite bemusing.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 2/5
TAP: Busta's nonsense "chatting" on three minutes: "when Babylon farl"

5. Guiltiness (Featuring The Lost Boyz)
Never heard of the Lost Boyz, however this little known quantity show surprising respect and restraint. It starts of appallingly with a bit of rap chat and overpowering beats, but Marley's pained vocals of "these are the bad men/who always drag me down" actaully goes brilliantly with the new beats. A success of sorts.
Original: 5/5
Remix: 4/5
TAP: The background vocals of "a-ha" and "word!" courtesy of Lost Boyz

6. Turn Your Lights Down Low (Featuring Lauryn Hill
The single that sparked the album. The original of this track can be found on Exodus, Marley's most successful album after the greatest hits pacakge, Legend. Lauryn does a respectful job throughout the track. She's not rapping on this one and so that makes it sound like a REAL duet with atmosphere. Her voice compliments Marley nicely. Another success.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 4/5
TAP: Nothing much to grumble about here

7. Jammin' (Featuring MC Lyte)
Another Exodus track. This time words fail me. Stutters, house beats, high hats, crashing symbols and MC Lyte saying Bob's name over and over again in the background. If this was played in a club, however, it would bring the house down. I should hate it, but I kind of like it........no no no, what am I saying?? It's horrendous. Bob Marley wasn't a dance artist. He was reggae through and through.
Original: 5/5
Remix: 1/5 or 4/5 depending on my righteousness
TAP: The tempo!

8. Kinky Reggae (Featuring The Ghetto Youth Crew)
An authentic reggae rhythm punctuates this track and I am quite pleased about that. However, it's one of Marley's weakest compositions and could have actually done with a bit of tampering! Still, the Ghetto Youth Crew (who?) do their best with this track and the overall feel is that of a Barbeque in Brixton when you've got flight tickets to Jamaica. You want to go, but you know where you'd rather be!
Original: 3/5
Remix: 3/5
TAP: Nothing overtly wrong here

9. Roots, Rock, Reggae (Featuring Steven Tyler/Joe Perry)
Yes. Aerosmith. "Play I some music" Bob pleads over what sounds like the original beats and riddim. And guess who has to overdo the vocals trying to mix rock with a fake Jamaican accent? Yup: Steve Tyler. He sounds like Lenny Henry on Tiswas doing that Algernon character. Oooooooo-kaaaaay! Truly awful.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 1/5
TAP: Three words: AEROSMITH DOING REGGAE

10. Survival (Featuring Chuck D)
Chuck D of Public Enemy should bring a bit of decorum to proceedings after the Aerosmith debacle shouldn't he? Well, yes, actually he does. There's the faintest hint of that irritating Public Enemy squeal in the background and a bit of MLK preaching in the background as Marley sings: "the black survivors". Chuck D stays silent for almost three minutes before spouting his token eight line rap. Good on him for keeping it to a minimum.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 4/5
TAP: Nothing contraband apart from some Martin Luther King samples

11. Burnin' and Lootin' (Featuring Black Thoughts)
Phew! The final track. That God. (Or Jah, if you will). This track has a real 70's soul feel to it with a spoken intro and tambourines and chimes going off all over the place. Marley comes in after a minute to save the day and although there's still hip hop beats in evidence (as there have been on 9 of the 11 tracks), it's seems to work on this track. Not bad at all.
Original: 4/5
Remix: 3/5
TAP: A little rap halfway through

All the tracks are interspersed with some Marley dialogue in his luscious patois. God knows what he's saying, but it brings a bit of much-needed authenticity to proceedings.

---LIKE THIS? TRY THESE!---

Artist: Sean Paul
Album: Dutty Rock
Year: 2003
Why: A modern reggae face who successfully uses RnB influences

Artist: Bob Marley
Album: Legend
Year: 1984
Why: Marley's better known tracks in their original form

Artist: Lauryn Hill
Album: The Miseducation Of...
Year: 1998
Why: The mother of Marley's grandchild weighs in with some thoughtful soul

Artist: Various
Album: Reggae Is King
Year: 2001
Why: Indispensible collection of 12 reggae classics from 1975 - 1982.

Artist: Various
Album: Trojan Bob Marley Box Set
Year: 1999
Why: Early Marley tracks with rare stuff from The Wailers and even his wife, Rita

---OVERALL---
I love 60's and 70's reggae. I also love 90's soul and rap. But the two make surprisingly uncomfortable bedfellows. I am a reggae fan but also a realist and understand the record company's attempts to bring Marley to a wider, younger audience (and to line their pockets at the expense of a dead man).

But this album, and especially the dance version of Jammin', just doesn't work. Soz.....

Thanks for reading.

Wayne