African Herbsman [ENHANCED] [EXTRA TRACKS] [ORIGINAL RECORDING REMASTERED]

Bob Marley (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: May 20, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B000095J72
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,964 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

1. Lively Up Yourself

2. Small Axe

3. Duppy Conqueror

4. Trenchtown Rock

5. African Herbsman

6. Keep on Moving

7. Fussing and Fighting

8. Stand Alone

9. All in One (Medley, Pt. 1): Bend Down Low/Nice Time/One ...

10. Don't Rock the Boat

11. Put It On

12. Sun Is Shining - Bob Marley

13. Kaya

14. Riding High

15. Brain Washing

16. Four Hundred Years

17. Memphis [Dub Version][*] - The Upsetters

18. Live [Lively Up Yourself Version][*] - Tommy McCook

19. More Axe [*] - Bob Marley

20. Axe Man [Small Axe Version][*] - The Upsetters

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Bob Marley's music had become an international phenomenon in three short years since his first album's release outside of Jamaica. That a compilation was already in demand attests to the universal impact and energy in his music. African Herbsman was originally released in 1973, at a pivotal point in Marley's Carrer.

These tracks capture the mystical magic when Marley, The Wailers, and the Upsetters came together under the spiritual hand of producer Lee "Scratch" Perry. So vital were these songs that Marley would revisit them on future recordings. "Trenchtown Rock," "Kaya," and "Lively Up Yourself" were among those gems to become standards for the next decade.

The following years would find Bob Marley and the Wailers elevated to international superstar status. Rapid popularity growth and a desire for new challenges saw Marley split from his producing partnership with Lee Perry. After African Herbsman, Marley had learned to stand strong behind his own voice.

Special DVD Features:

Artist Photos

Extensive liner notes by leading Bob Marley and Lee Perry authority, David Katz

24 bit / 96 kHz DVD-Audio and 24 bit / 48 kHz Dolby Digital 5.1 options Stunning 5.1 surround sound Plays on ALL DVD players --This text refers to the DVD Audio edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIVELY UP YOURSELF!, April 9, 2006

By	t'amant (WA) - See all my reviews

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)!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the Best, February 26, 2005

By	Books & Music (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

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."

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best of the early stuff, April 30, 2005

By	E. Mcmenamin (the SPFLD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.