Ziggy Marley Dragonfly CD

For his solo debut DRAGONFLY, Ziggy Marley casts his musical net further than his reggae roots and ends up with a collection of songs that sounds closer to Ben Harper than to Buju Banton. Enlisting the aid of Metallica producer Ross Hogarth and R.E.M. knob-twirler Scott Litt, Marley dabbles with Stax-flavored horns (a soulful "True to Myself"), neo-folk with Latin grooves (the bubbly title cut), and ethereal pop (the swirling "YKL [Don't You Kill Love]"). Aiding Marley in launching this solo venture are a number of famous names. Half of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, (Flea and John Frusciante) and Incubus DJ Chris Kilmore pop up on the punchy "Rainbow In the Sky," with the tattooed bassist returning on the somber "Melancholy Mood" and being joined by ex-Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Manning.

Other notable musicians making the scene are six-string impresarios David Lindley and Blues Saraceno (the hard-rocking "I Get Out" and the anti-organized-religion diatribe "In the Name of God"), and omnipresent Wallflowers keyboardist Rami Jaffee. Celebrity contributions aside, Marley still manages to infuse a number of socially conscious messages throughout the album, culminating with "Shalom/Saalam," a sparse, whip-smart reggae cut addressing the need for Israeli/Palestinian peace.

Lee R. Thornburg, Nick Lane, Greg Smith (horns); Tyrone Downie (piano, keyboards); Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. (piano); Gary Corbett (Fender Rhodes piano); Eric Lynn (keyboards); Reggie McBride, Paul Bushnell, Flea (bass); Steve Jordan, Steve Ferrone (drums); Richard Bravo, Luis Conte (percussion).

Live Recording

Producers: Ross Hogarth, Ziggy Marley, Scott Litt.

Personnel: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer, percussion); Cedella Marley (vocals); Marc Moreau (guitar, synthesizer, percussion, drum programming); Dan Warner, David Lindley, Earl "Chinna" Smith, James Harrah, John Frusciante, Ross Hogarth, Steve Bigas, Blues Saraceno (guitar); Gregor Kitzis, Meg Okura (violin); Martha Mooke (viola); Leah Coloff (cello); Rami Jaffee (accordion, organ, keyboards); David Ralicke (saxophone, horns); Ron Blake (flugelhorn, horns); Greg "Frosty" Smith, Lee Thornburg, Nick Lane, Lon Price (horns); Tyrone Downie (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Roger Joseph Manning Jr. (piano); Gary Corbett (Fender Rhodes piano); Eric Lynn (keyboards); Steve Jordan , Steve Ferrone (drums); Luis Conte, Richard Bravo (percussion); Chris Kilmore (scratches); Eric Stewart, Daniel Marley, Scott Litt, Sharon Marley (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Mike Butler; Marc Moreau; Ross Hogarth; Ziggy Marley.

Recording information: Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA; Looking Glass Studio, New York, NY; Record One, Sherman Oaks, CA; Record Plant Studios, Hollywood, CA; The Lions Den, Miami, FL; The Steakhouse Studio, N. Hollywood, CA; Third Stone Recording, N. Hollywood, CA.

Illustrator: Neville Garrick.

Photographer: Kevin Westenberg.

Personnel: Ziggy Marley (vocals, guitar, piano, organ, synthesizer, bass, drums, percussion); Cedella Marley (vocals); Marc Moreau (guitar, synthesizer, percussion, programming); Earl "Chinna" Smith, Steve Bigas, Blues Saraceno, James Harrah, David Lindley, Dan Warner, John Frusciante (guitar); The Scorchio Quartet (strings); Rami Jaffee (accordion, organ, keyboards); David Ralicke (saxophone); Ron Blake (flugelhorn); Lon Price,