Bob Marley And The Wailers 'One Love/People Get Ready'

Chart Peak: 5

YouTube

Unless I'm missing something, this is the first posthumous Now appearance (for Marley, obviously, not all the Wailers), not that the sleeve note feels the need to mention this. It's the first of three such appearances for him, with a 1977 album track that was belatedly released as a single to promote the immensely popular Legend compilation, reportedly the biggest-selling reggae album of all time. In fact, the original version of the song, in a more traditional ska style, was released by the Wailers in 1965. The subtitle, incidentally, reflects the fact that the song is based on 'People Get Ready' by The Impressions.

I've always been resistant to the deification of Marley since his death, and indeed I'm one of the few who never did buy a copy of Legend, but as it is 'One Love' is a short but sweet little number with a utopian sentiment that obviously appealed in 1977 (when he'd fled Jamaica after an apparent assassination attempt) and after his death. Just in case, the promo video tries to tug the heartstrings a little further with its combination of archive footage and a child actor, plus the endorsement of various celebrity cameos. Paul McCartney doesn't quite do the full thumbs aloft but he's certainly in that mood and Suggs and Chas from Madness have brought some of the stock footage from the 'Return Of The Las Palmas Seven' video. There's a zeitgeist moment when Marley's voice sings "fight this holy Armagideon" while Ronald Reagan appears on a TV screen.

Also appearing on: Now 23, 44 [with Funkstar Deluxe]
Available on: Legend

Bob Marley And The Wailers 'Iron Lion Zion'

Chart Peak: 5

YouTube

Well, this is a track I certainly remember. Perhaps being at school with somebody called Brian helped. Of course, Marley had been dead for over a decade by this point, and because his death was so early in my life it felt like ancient history, although of course 1992 is longer ago now than 1981 was then. Ouch.

Anyway, 'Iron Lion Zion' was an unreleased track recorded circa 1973 and initially made available on a boxed set. Logically, it ought to be rubbish, and I start with the handicaps of not really understanding the Rastafarian imagery or indeed being much of a reggae fan at all. Actually, though, it's perfectly fine little ditty with a catchy hook and a nice brass section (I'm not sure how much, if anything, was overdubbed posthumously). I also don't entirely know why most sources seem to suggest a credit to the Wailers, when the original sleeve names Marley alone.

Also appearing on: Now 3, 44 (with Funkstar De Luxe)
Available on: Songs Of Freedom

Bob Marley vs Funkstar De Luxe 'Sun Is Shining'

Chart Peak: 3

YouTube

My mum saw Bob Marley & The Wailers live. Don't get too jealous though. Apparently they were crap.

There's an obvious problem with trying to appraise this record in a cold January when it's dark by the time I get home from work. But anyone who bought this album in November 1999 would have had a similar experience, so here goes. Marley's highest-charting UK single (no, really - look it up) is a dancefloor-friendly rework of the mellow original album track. In that sense you might compare it to the previous Moloko track, but this time the advantage goes the other way: the original track, though slight, captures that lazy summer spirit in the way that reggae can do so well. Funkstar's production is more generic, and threatens to overwhelm the vocal and indeed the entire song sounds pushed to the periphery. I'm sure it's functional for the Ibiza clubs it was recorded for, though, and I don't find it as annoying as Finley Quaye's Top 20 version.

Also appearing on: Now 3, 23 (both Bob Marley & The Wailers)
Available on: Happy Songs