Ziggy Marley / Melody Makers Spirit Of Music CD

SPIRIT OF MUSIC is an Enhanced audio CD which contains regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, melodica, bass, Nyabinghi drums, percussion, programming); Steve Marley (vocals, guitar, Nyabinghi drums, Akete drums, programming); Cedella Marley, Sharon Marley (background vocals).

Additional personnel includes: Earl "Chinna" Smith (guitar, background vocals); Mark Goldenberg (electric guitar); Lily Haydn (violin); Taj Mahal (harmonica); Mark Isham (trumpet); Don Was (piano, melodica, bass); Tyrone Downie (piano, organ, keyboards, drum programming); Benmont Tench (organ); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); James "Hutch" Hutchinson, Abe Laboriel, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, Christopher Meredith (bass); Jim Keltner (drums, percussion); Wilburn "Squidly" Cole (drums); Julian Marley (bass, Nyabinghi drums, background vocals); Lenny Castro, Uzziah Thompson (percussion); Damian Marley (programming, background vocals); Erica Newell (background vocals).

From Taj Mahal's soulful harp playing on the opening track to the striped-down, pure sound of the entire CD, it's loud and clear that Ziggy Marley has returned to his roots. Rumored to have gone through a near-death experience, it appears that he and his siblings have done away with all the inconsequential pop music experiments and flimsy lyrics that have plagued recent releases and decided to get serious about the heart of reggae music: flowing rhythms with a spiritual/political message. Both the singing and the lyrics on Spirit of Music are sublime, recalling Bob Marley's early work. In fact, Stephen Marley's delivers haunting and effective versions of his father's tunes "All Day All Night" and "High Tide or Low Tide." Filled with soulful singing and easygoing melodies, this album is a must-have for even casual reggae fans. ~ Rosalind Cummings-Yeates

Recorded at Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, California; Marley Music Studios, Kingston, Jamaica; Criteria Studios, Miami, Florida.

Full performer name: Ziggy Marley/The Melody Makers.

Producers: Don Was, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

Engineers include: Rik Pekkonen, Errol Brown, Scott Kieklak.

Personnel: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, melodica, drums, background vocals); Earl "Chinna" Smith, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Mark Goldenberg (electric guitar); Lili Haydn (violin); Taj Mahal (harmonica); Don Was (melodica, piano); Mark Isham (trumpet); Tyrone Downie (piano, organ); Benmont Tench (organ); Jamie Muhoberac (keyboards); Jim Keltner (drums, percussion); Lenny Castro, Uziah "Sticky" Thompson (percussion); Damian "Junior Gong" Marley (drum programming, background vocals); Erica Newell, Julian Marley, Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: David Boucher; Errol Brown ; Bob Clearmountain.

Recording information: Criteria Studios, Miami, FL; Marley Music Studios, Kinston; Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA.

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Entertainment Weekly (7/16/99, p.70) - "...raw-spirited album that keeps us doing sonic double takes..." - Rating: B+
Q (9/00, p.102) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Sees them taking a sharp right turn....they've bounced the reggae in favor of a stripped-back, Ben Harper-ish sound. Surprisingly, it works a treat....perfect for a mellow summer's afternoon, medicinal spliff in hand..."