Customer Reviews

Africa Unite: The Singles Collection

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

*If* you have been following Bob's career from its beginnings (ever heard the Wailers do "What's New Pussycat?" from the late '60s? It is an ALL-TIME STONE COLD CLASSIC!!!), you will not give short shrift to the first few songs on this CD, but rather rejoice that they are now available with much better (though not as good as his latter productions) mixes, thanks to superior technology. "Soul Rebel", "Lively Up Yourself", "Trench Town Rock", and "Concrete Jungle" are surely some of his finest songs EVER and *rightly* deserve to be included right alongside "Jamming" and "Could You Be Loved", which almost sound like fluff compared to these hard hitting, timeless and lyrically poignant classics.
Onward, the new song and remixes are a nice addition, all songs represent first class Marley material. I rate this compilation the highest single disc achievement of the "greatest hits" type. I still prefer the CDs "Catch A Fire", "Burnin'", "Natty Dread", "Rastaman Vibration", and "Survival" to any greatest hits collection, however. If you love Bob Marley, you OWE IT TO YOURSELF to get the entire Island/Tuff Gong collection of recordings from 1973's "Catch a Fire" through 1983's "Confrontation", and also the "Live at the Roxy" 2 CD (not the single disc) set. Of the Deluxe Edition CDs, "Exodus" is a worthy choice, however, take note: the additional live material on the "Rastaman Vibration" (Deluxe Edition) IS the same material you can get in complete format on the 2 CD "Live at the Roxy" release, and the additional material on the "Catch A Fire" (Deluxe Edition) CD set is merely the original Jamiacan mixes and the "final release" mixes from England via Chris Blackwell (Island Records), in duplicate format. Fanatics will want to have all the Deluxe Editions perhaps, but us regular folks (well, I do have over 20 Marley CDs, so perhaps I qualify as somewhat less than a completist, not quite a fanatic, yet I consider all the "original" Island/Tuff Gong releases('73-'83) ESSENTIAL, including the Roxy (2 CD) and Exodus (Deluxe Edition) version, and having the extra stuff on this "Singles Collection" I think gives me almost all of the best Bob (Marley, not Dylan, but I have most of that, also, and by the way: get Dylan and the Band's "Planet Waves" CD, it's an overlooked gem, but I digress...) ever recorded, except for that unique and tickling version of "What's New Pussycat?" I used to have on 8-track tape so many years ago...).
Anyway, if you want one Marley CD, buy this one, if you want more, get ALL his stuff from '73-'83, the 2 CD Roxy set and Exodus (Deluxe) and THEN get this CD. You'll thank me for it as you're listening to "Hallelujah Time" from "Burnin'", or "So Much Trouble in the World" from "Survival", two of the greatest Wailers songs EVER. Trust me on this one... and if you want an EVEN BIGGER picture, "Talkin' Blues" should be added to the collection. It has "live in studio" recordings from KSAN, (SF Bay Area radio station), by the original Bob+Wailers lineup, and is the *only* material recorded from the first Wailers tour of the States in 1973 known to exist.
Well... what are you waiting for?
(I DID ALL THE HOMEWORK FOR YOU ALREADY!!!). Now enjoy.

Though I already have most of the songs on this compilation, Slogans and Get Up, Stand Up (remix) was a bonus. No hassle order and delivery process. Overall experience and product was excellent.

Most fans own "Legend". It's a great compilation and I actually own it myself. But this cd just blowns Legend away, Not only are there more tracks but there is simply more quality Not only does it have Bobs most known hits like "Jammin", "No Women No Cry", and "Exodus" but it also has some remixes and a previously unreleased track, all of which are spectacular. While all of Bob's original songs are easily 10/10 heres how the new songs rank in my mind.

18) Africa Unite (Will.I.Am. Remix)--11/10--Best of the new songs and one of the best on the cd. I was hesitant at first (Not a big fan of Black Eyed Peas) but this song is fantastic. Easily best Marley remix I've ever heard (Although if I were you I'd check out the techno remix of "Sun is Shining"). Just a great song for chillin.

19) Slogans--10/10-- Not as good as the last but still another Marley masterpiece. Nice beat and better lyrics. Gotta love it.

20) Stand Up Jamrock (Ashley Beedle Remix--10/10--this song completes the cd with an edgier sounding song with a nice beat that makes it a great take of "Get Up, Stand Up". If you like Damian Marleys music you'll dig this one as it has some samples from "Welcome to Jamrock". Makes the cd a clean sweep of 10's

So as I was saying BUY THIS CD. f you've got $50 laying around go and buy the "Songs of Freedom" box setbut for this price you cant beat the cd. And go buy some Toots and Maytals or Steel Pulse while your at it.

Slogans the song, was astonishingly good. i didnt expect it to be brilliant, but it is!

here is my ratings for the songs;

1. Soul Rebel - 6/10
- This was done in the 60's, when he didnt have a proper recording studio, so it may sound abit cheesy, but the lyrics are still there.

2. Lively Up Yourself - 6/10
- Also one of Bob's early recordings, still good!

3. Trench Town Rock - 6/10
- This is a early version of Bob's live "Trench Town Rock". very good.

4. Concrete Jungle - 6/10 :::: Catch A Fire version 9/10
- This is also another early day recording by Bob. Check out Bob's other version of "Concrete Jungle" from Catch A Fire, which was done in 1973.

5. I Shot The Sheriff - 9/10
- This is a very catchy tune, and deserves its popularity, this was also covered by Eric Clapton, which got the American public, to know Bob.

6. Get Up Stand Up - 9/10
- Very good song, it shows how much pain poeple in Jamiaca, must of gone through.

7. No Woman No Cry - 8/10
- Very good song, world wide famous, deserves it too.

8. Roots Rock Reggae - 8.5/10
- Very cool, in this song were seeing, Bob's cool side. And very catchy.

9. Exodus - 8/10
- Again a great song, deserves more fame.

10. Waiting In Vain - 10/10
- Who can't love this song?

11. Jammin' - 10/10
- Time to skank, one would say his best song.

12. Is This Love - 10/10
- I think it's one of the best love songs ever!
Now thats saying something.

13. Sun Is Shining - 8/10
- Good song, from the 1978's Kaya album.

14. Could You Be Loved - 10/10
- My all time favourite reggae song, just listen to it. I would buy the album just for this track.

15. Three Little Birds - 9/10
- Always nice to hear cheerful songs!
I hear this on the radio alot.

16. Buffalo Soldier - 10/10
- One of Bob's last songs, made in 1980, released 1983.
It's a classic.

17. One Love/Poeple Get Ready - 10/10
- Made me cry first time i heard this!WONDERFUL!

18. Africa Unite - 10/10
- Brill song, deserves to be on Legend.

19. Slogans - 10/10
- This song was said to of been made in 1979, but never quite finished, and so Eric Clapton and some other artists, added instroments.
And it sound FANTASTIC could of even got on to Legend.

20. Stand Up Jamrock - 7/10
- This is actaully not a Bob Marley song, but a combination of, "Get Up Stand Up" and "Welcome To Jamrock",
sounds quite good.Not my favourite though.

This album is top class, and has a previously unheard bob song called slogans.
all the other songs are mint to!

i would give the album 6 stars, buy it!

I couldn't agree with the other reviews more. This is a MUST HAVE for any music fan. I played this at a barbecue, and it was a huge hit. Who doesn't appreciate the music of Bob Marley?

The one thing I was worried about at my bbq was the tunes. How would I be able to please a multi-cultural group of people with an age range spanning from 16 - 52? This CD easily solved my problem. Put it on repeat and played it twice.

Don't be afraid of the songs which you aren't familiar with, don't worry, I can almost garauntee you'll like 'em. Whoever chose the songs for this comp. did an EXCELLENT job! I don't care how many Marley CD's you own, when you see the song selection, you just gotta say , "Damn, that's very well put together." If this cd were a woman, it'd be a Beyonce, J. Lo, Jessica Alba, Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Janet Jackson hybrid!!!

Only song missing from here is the remix of Turn Your Lights Down Low with Lauryn Hill. The 2 remixes are ok at best, but 2 ok tunes out of 20?!! That's a great percentage. Do yourself a favor, and pick this up.

If you've got a young music lover, give it to them so they can hear, appreciate and learn from real music. I'm not a seller, I just call 'em like I see 'em. My 2 cents.

Africa Unite : 2005

Introduction.
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The first songs are midly good.
(They had poor recording equipment),
And would of been better with Island Records which he spent his 70's and early 80's life.
As the album moves we hear more of his classic songs, such as "Jamming" and "No Woman No Cry".
Until you get to the end of the album were you hear 2 new remixes and a previously unheard Bob Marley track called "Slogans" from 1979, which is a very good song.

Here I show you my song ratings;

1. Soul Rebel, 1967 - 6/10
2. Lively Up Yourself, 1971 - 6/10
3. Trench Town Rock, 1971 - 7/10
4. Concrete Jungle, 1971 - 6/10
5. I Shot The Sheriff, 1973 - 9/10
6. Get Up Stand Up, 1973 - 9/10
7. No Woman No Cry, 1975 - 10/10
8. Roots Rock Reggae, 1976 - 10/10
9. Exodus, 1977 - 8/10
10.Waiting In Vain, 1977 - 9/10
11.Jamming, 1977 - 10/10
12.Is This Love, 1978 - 10/10
13.Sun Is Shining, 1978 - 9/10
14.Could You Be Loved, 1980 - 10/10
15.Three Little Birds, 1977-1980 - 10/10
There were two versions.
16.Buffalo Soldier, 1980 - 10/10
17.One love/Poeple Get Ready, 1977-1980 - 10/10
There were two versions.
18.Africa Unite, 1980 - 10/10


Review.
_____________
This is without a doubt the best summary of Bob Marley's life, which also includes a previously unheard track called, "Slogans".

This album should be very famous in around, 3 years time.
I Rate This Album At - 10/10 - 5/5.

This album is far better than "Legend", which has put some of the wrong songs on.

Slogans is the best song on this greatest hits album by far - it has a sweet rythm to it that cant fail.

Think of this album as Legend 2 , as it deserves that place more than the "Natural Mystic" one.
Buy it.

It took way too long to get here and when I finally received The CD it was a bit confusing because when I played the CD in Rhapsody it listed the songs that were listed on the CD but when I played it in iTunes the last song listed was not the same song that was listed on the CD however when I played the last song it played the one listed on the CD and the rest of them played out of order. So I was disappointed about that ordeal but I love Bob Marley no matter what!!

If you love the greatest from Marley; this is the one to buy!