Ziggy Marley Fallen Is Babylon CD

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion); Steve Marley (vocals, guitar, drums, DJ); Cedella Marley, Sharon Marley (background vocals).

FALLEN IS BABYLON won the 1998 Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

Throughout the 1990s, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers had seen their stature diminish from the heady heights of the previous decade. However, even as record sales abated, the group continued releasing exciting and adventurous albums. Their patience was finally rewarded when Fallen Is Babylon was honored with a Grammy. With the songwriting split among Ziggy, Stephen, and brother David, the album is surprisingly diverse, even by the Melody Makers' usual standards. Swinging from a retro '60s sound to dancehall and from R&B to rootsy reggae, and shifting across a myriad of moods and themes, the quartet members prove themselves to be masters of all genres. The majority of the album is self-produced, and the whole set boasts a clean sound that perfectly balances the vocals, instruments, and beats. Cowboy goes hip-hop on one of the most original numbers, "Everyone Wants to Be," which works in snatches of "The Good, the Bad & the Ugly" and a powerful rap from guest star Wyclef Jean. The title track is a sleekly smooth and soulful R&B number, while Stephen and guesting brother Damian toast their way through the dancehall-laced "Day by Day." Among many more highlights is a phenomenal reggae-fied cover of Curtis Mayfield's "People Get Ready." A masterful album from a group whose sound is forever evolving and maturing. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

Recorded at Marley Music, Kingston, Jamaica.

Full performer name: Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

Producers: The Melody Makers, Steve Thompson, Michael Barbiero, Kevin Bacon, Jonathon Quarmby.

Personnel: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Wyclef Jean (rap vocals); Stephen Marley (guitar, drums); Ian Coleman (guitar); Dean Fraser, Everod Gayle, Chico Chin (horns); Jonathan Quarmby (keyboards, drums, loops); Kevin Bacon (keyboards, loops); Carrol McLaughlin, Mallory Williams (keyboards); Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, Danno Saratak, Wilburn Cole, Glen Brownie (drums).

DJs: Damian "Junior Gong" Marley; Stephen Marley.

Audio Mixers: Jonathan Quarmby; Kevin Bacon ; Michael Barbiero; Steve Thompson .

Recording information: Circle House, North Miami, FL; Criteria Studio, Miami, FL; Ikus Studio, Miami, FL; Marley Music, Kingston, Jamaica.

Photographer: Marc Baptiste.

Additional personnel: Wyclef Jean (rap); Joh Lloyd (spoken vocals); Ian Coleman, Earl Smith, Mulugetta Gessesse (guitar); Ian Carteron (harmonica); Dean Fraser, Chico Chin, Everol Gayle (horns); Kevin Bacon (keyboards, bass, loops); Mallory Williams, Carol McLaughlin, Malaku Retta, Earl Fitzsimmonds (keyboards); Jonathon Quarmby (keyboards, drums, loops); Christopher Meredith, Glen Brownie, Zeleke Gessesse, Ashton Barrett (bass); Damian Marley (drums, DJ); Wilburn Cole, Raphael Wolde Mariam, Danno Saratak (drums); Uzziah Thompson (percussion); Erica Newell (background vocals).Rolling Stone (8/21/97, p.112) - 3.5 Stars (out of 5) - "...classic roots reggae--peppered with ragamuffin and hip-hip flavor..."
Entertainment Weekly (7/25/97, p.72) - "...At last, a Melody Makers album that'd make Father proud." - Rating: B+
Vibe (9/97, p.243) - "...FALLEN IS BABYLON stays true to the band's form, mixing programmed beats and loops, traditional roots vibes, raggamuffin, and a bit of hip hop into their reggae band..."