Album Review: Catch a Fire" (Bob Marley & the Wailers)

According to Wikipedia, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated follow-ing on the development of “ska” and “rocksteady” related music.

“Catch a Fire” is characterized by those topics that most of the bands and musicians of the 60s and 70s were involved in, such as love, poverty, passion, peace, life, friendship, and faith. Probably, some of the influences noticeable in the lyrics make reference to spiritual freedom, religious beliefs and optimism; as a mixture with a typical reggae style and sort of rock sparks heard at the beginning of some of the songs, because of the drum sound.

The way Marley and the Wailers interpret melodies such as “High tide or low tide”, establishing the importance of friendship and spirituality; or "400 years” referring to people’s revolution against the system which controls everything; or “Slave driver”, recalling slavery; gives us an idea of their concerns.

Taking into account Bob Marley’s background: when we look at his own story, we find that he is a Jamaican citizen. His ancestors had come a long way in order to be free; as a result, he proudly self-identified as a black African. Marley’s world, and our own world, has not changed that much since Marley’s death. Otherwise, this album and artist would not be considered so important.

by Derly Yaima