---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.

---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).

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

---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).

Thanks for reading.