Dragonfly

Ziggy Marley

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 15, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 15, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA Victor
• ASIN: B00006CYB2
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #21,344 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers have always been interested in music outside reggae, with the band of siblings moving from syth-pop sheen in the 1980s to a more mature and multi-genre sound in the late ‘90s. Dragonfly, Ziggy Marley’s first solo effort, continues this trajectory. Featuring producers Ross Hogarth (Metallica, Jewel) and Scott Litt (R.E.M.), as well as special guests Flea, John Frusciante, David Lindley, and Incubus’s Chris Kilmore, Dragonfly sounds closer to the adult contemporary music of recent Sting or R.E.M. than the reggae of his father. But even if the apple has fallen away from the music tree, Ziggy’s voice has the same forceful yearning and brittle timbre as his father; also like his father, Marley wears his politics on his sleeve (particularly on "Shalom Salaam" and "In The Name Of God") without being rudimentary. This may not sound like the record reggae enthusiasts pray to Jah for, but Marley succeeds on his own terms, creating a wide-ranging and appealing vision. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ziggy "Gets Out"!, June 3, 2003

By A Customer

The album "Dragonfly" may not be what some expect. It is a new, refreshing and insightful Ziggy who has matured and hopes to expand his musical skills further then ever before.

The songs on Dragonfly range from political to deeply spiritual. No matter what type of music you are accustomed to, Dragonfly has something for you! His lyrics are a growth for him and certainly relevant and refreshing lyrics for todays music industry.

Anyone who thinks that Ziggy should stick to just roots reggae is not getting the picture. In "I Get Out" Ziggy tells us "I of the universe won't be prisoner of your little world". Just like his father expanded what came to be expected of reggae music to English/Americans, Ziggy must continually search to find his own instead of depending on what he knows all reggae fans will buy.

I'm not gonna go through the different songs, because much could be said about most of them, but I will definately say that the Dragonfly album is worth the money! Fans of music (roots reggae, rock, world, whatever) will find something interesting and intriguing in Dragonfly. With such a good quality of music, it's only unfortunate that the album wasn't longer (I believe they cut one song -"Uncle Sam"- because of politics and another -"The Song"- for some other reason).

I would reccomend this album. If you enjoyed "Spirit of Music" or ANY other recent Melody Makers offerings you will certainly enjoy this, and if you dig good vibes this is definately the one!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Melody maker, genre shaker, image breaker, April 16, 2003

By A Customer

Having been a Ziggy Marley & MM fan since 'Conscious Party', I am enjoying this new Ziggy solo disc in a big way. I love the way Ziggy's 'Dragonfly' experiments with all the fine shades between modern reggae, rock, rhythm & blues, worldbeat, and even some folk and country all the while letting his distinct vocals keep us rooted in more signature territory. As usual, it's a record of self-reflection, political concerns, and love in it's many forms.

Highlights:

"True To Myself" - 'Pop hit single' written all over it; if this song doesn't [make] the top 40, there is no justice.

"I Get Out" - Lyrics to this amazingly intense track makes me wonder what kinds of industry []Ziggy has to suffer through just to make rewarding music.

"In The Name Of God" - The kind of song John Lennon used to write, and nowadays nobody has the brass ones to write any more, until now.

"Never Deny You" - Just an absolutely beautiful song about the power of true friendship and faith.

I grew up listening to reggae master Bob Marley and his progeny carries his musical legacy so very well. You'll likely buy a good two dozen albums in the next year; but you'll still be playing this one come next April.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ziggy is "Zagging" in a New Way, July 15, 2003

By	"sunnyes" (Salt Lake City, Utah United States) - See all my reviews

And....I love it. I was at the record store and saw Dragonfly and I knew immediately that I would "have to have it". First of all, I was so excited that he had new music out, but secondly, I was more excited that it was going to be a new sound w/o the Melody Maker and Stephen even though I love them, too.

Dragonfly is awesome. It takes a few times of playing this CD in order to start craving Ziggy's new sound. But once you are familiar with the melodies, you will love it especially because Ziggy collaberates with other artists on the album, one of which is Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They sound great together. He also does a song with his sister that is also wonderful. They need to do more!!!

Ziggy is soulful, insightful, beautiful, cool...his vibe and energy capture my soul more than any other artist other than Bono. His spirt will touch yours if you let it.

The best song on the album is track 10: Never Deny You - It is killer! It sounds soooo good, the beat, the chorus - this is one song that you will play over and over again. Track 2-"True to Myself" is also another soulful, good vib'in song.

If you are into equal human rights and spiritual about life and feeling good, and being real, then this album is for you - buy it and go see him LIVE. He rocks, and he will rock your spirit.