Customer Reviews

African Herbsman

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lee "Scratch" Perry really brought out the best of the Wailers. As someone else mentioned, many fans consider their collaborations on this album and on "Soul Rebels" to be the very best work either of them ever did. This is a genius band, and a genius producer, still finding their way. Most people would not even recognize this as a Marley record compared to the more commercial turn he would take shortly after, even though "African Herbsman" introduces many songs he would perform again and again later in his career. But again, this isn't a mere historical footnote--- the music here is highly creative and original, and has a churning, driving sound largely missing from Marley's more famous efforts. This is one you'll keep coming back to long after you grow tired of "Catch a Fire."

Great early reggae from Marley and the Wailers produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry. To many reggae fans, this is the high water mark for the band, before they signed to Island and modified their sound for rock audiences. The Perry/Marley collaboration resulted in some real classics (too many to name), and with this new re-release of the album 10 dub tracks are included for even more listening pleasure.

This packed cd (77:41 min) is like warm sunshine in the middle of a dark, rainy winter...I have been living through one of the rainiest on record here in WA, and this was a welcome friend (Duppy Conqueror: "Me friend, me friend - am set me free again". I love that song!). This Trenchtown rock is funky, spacey, driving, reverb-soaked Jamaican vibrations of the highest order. The production is way out front, tight sounding (not spread out, sounds like mono) snappy goodness. The bass lines (Bunny Wailer?) are flowing and thumping through your chest (turn it up) in a playful way and the back-up vocals are haunting, but sweet...ascending to a more beautiful space. The drums and percussion are constantly shifting the backbeat and accents in a cool, interesting way. The obligatory drum intro snaps each song into being. Horns come in often with sunny Caribbean waves of harmony while the organ keeps a subtle foundation churning underneath. And one of the biggest reasons this thrills me instrumentally...Peter Tosh and his ground-breaking guitar sensibility. I still remember how interesting he sounded to me as a young guitar player in the 70's (usually into AOR, prog and psychedelic music). They are twanging, thumping, singing and blowin' their hearts out here! REALLY FUN STUFF! I haven't even gotten to the glorious vocals of Marley himself - with this great set-up he isn't just your average good vocalist, this IS budding genius weaving melodies that float to the heavens. Over the Years I mostly only knew the later popular Marley material, but just recently ventured into the older material because of these great new remasters (which sound great by the way, and have extensive track notes/remembrances, though technical details are lacking a bit). I'm so glad I did jump on these (Soul Rebels is the other one - almost the same comments could be applied to it as well)! I'm not a fan that can put the songs or extras into perspective as to their relevance to the songbook, history or culture...but they are all good, which is enough for now. Thank you Bob (if you can hear me up there) and the Wailers for this gift of musical joy...SO SWEET, an easy 5 stars! Musical sunshine that helped me lively up myself this dreary winter. Enjoy often (it keeps calling me)!

lee perry's production is bass heavy, and this record really feels like an organic peace of work. the bass lines are awesome, it contains the best version of "trenchtown rock" and this album will get you on you feet bouncing around the room. small axe is amazing, this is my favorit pre-exodus record.

Okay this is probably my favorite Bob MArley CD, it has a great mellow vibe, courtesy of Lee Scratch Perry, and is his best cd prior to his Island records days. The new remastering makes it sound great, a real Bob Marley jem

A must for any Bob Marley fan!! This is the missing link in any true Bob Marley collection, just recently (re-?) released on CD. Yes, 5 stars-- if you don't believe me,... Makes a great session album. Enjoy!

This is definitely an early recording that lacks the technical clarity of later recordings. If you like that early Wailers sound, just get it on CD. They should have used a later Bob Marley CD, or created a "best of" or anthology to remix in 5.1 surround sound. I would buy something like that in a heart beat. This was a waste of money.

Lee Scratch Perry helped Bob find himself vocally, but Lee's hand is all in the band's sound as well. Most Marley fans consider these original versions collected here, to be his and the Wailer's greatest effort. Most of these were later reproduced for Blackwell's label Island and became Reggae standards. Nothing tho, as they say, is better than the original! Includes extra tracks (Upsetter dubs)-all necessary. This would be my choice for album of the century.

This cd was being played by my band director back when I was in 7th grade and it totally blew me away. I had never heard anything like it. Back in 7th grade I had new clue what reggae was or how it was played. When I was allowed to borrow this and I listened to it the whole way through I was amazed. If you like the Wailers, this is a killer cd, and even if you aren't a big Wailers fan, the voacl harmonies are amazing and you will want to sing along with these Irie vibes. This cd made me a Wailers addict for life and I have a good feeling it will make you an addict as well. You need to listen to this cd no matter what.

this is an awsome cd. this re-issue cannot be better. most of the songs on the disc are familiar. however, there are some that are not as popular but are nevertheless good. i believe that the wailers and lee "scratch" perry worked pretty well together. too bad the relationship did not lost long. you'd experience a "brief marriage" between a great band and great producer if you purchase this album. in addition, the different versions are great. get the album, you won't be disappointed. it's the wailers at their early best.