The Best Of The Wailers

More people need to know about this album. Leslie Kong was a bit of a pop genius, and maybe this lacks the roots gravitas of later Marley work, but it is sooooo good to listen to. The Wailers share the workload more evenly and there is a strong flavour of US r'n'b running through this. It is very very good indeed.

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Brilliant

Brilliant!!

Dating from 1970 I think the music on this album is transitioning from Rocksteady into Reggae, the former dominating Jamaican music at the end of the 1960s and the latter dominating Jamaican music throughout the 1970s. This album sees the group exploring historical, cultural, spritual themes which indicates a Rastafarian consciousness, as well as more light hearted themes such as love and day-to-day living. There is a strong American Soul and R&B music presence here, too, which had been a huge influence on Jamaican music since the Ska days. Bunny Wailer's backing vocals are sublime, whilst Bob Marley and Peter Tosh have a more even share of lead vocal duties with Tosh singing six and Tosh singing four of the tracks.Apparently, this album was a source of conflict between The Wailers and its producer Leslie Kong. Legend has it that Kong was cursed, leading to the producer's untimely death of a heart attack the next year at the age of thirty eight. I think shortly after this album had been recorded The Wailer's would start work with producer Lee "Scratch" Perry, another collaboration which would be marred by conflict - although a collaboration which would see the creation of some of their most celebrated and respected works. I think "The Best of the Wailers" has a lot of merit, even in comparison to perhaps greater achievements in the not-too-distant future. The songs are strong, flow well and there doesn't seem to be much in the way of filler.

Being a huge fan of The Wailers, when i saw this referred to as an actual album and not another compilation, i had to buy it. I have heard all of these songs elsewhere but to have them in the form of an original album, well i couldn't resist. This was recorded and released in Jamaica in 1970 so i would guess that chronologically it comes just before the amazing work they did with Lee "Scratch" Perry. The Wailers had been recording for years at various studios so by the time this album was made, they were more than ready to record a full album rather than just singles. They were highly professional and had the drive to take reggae out of Jamaica and into the mainstream. Although that wasn't achieved until much later (Natty Dread album) they were well on their way and this album for me marks the beginning of a hot streak of classics. After this they were joined by Aston and Carlton Barrett and reeled off Soul Rebels, Soul Revoution, Catch A Fire and Burnin' all in the space of about 4 years. 5 classic albums back to back (including this one) is impressive by anyone's standards and only really matched by Burning Spear.Of the 10 songs originally included on the album there is a great mix of Bob and Pete Tosh songs. Bob sings lead for 6 of them and Pete sings the remaining 4 (Stop The Train, Go Tell It To The Mountain, Can't You See and Soon Come). The album flows brilliantly from one song to the next. The playing and harmonies are exceptional with lyrics to match. There is a very spiritual feel to this album and like most Jamaican music from this period, the influence of American soul music is stamped all over it. I have to disagree strongly with the reviewer who refers to this album as "utterly inessential" and that they were totally uninspired at the time they made it. To me that is a ridiculous comment. The songs may not have the same production values as their later albums recorded for Island records, but they still have a passion and creative spark unmatched by many artists, before or since. It's too hard to pick standouts from this album as all songs are tremendous. If you like The Wailers or reggae music then buy this now.

It only just came to my attention, that there is only one review for this album, and moreover, that that review is a negative one. I would just like to say that this is one of my favourite recordings by The Wailers, and strongly disagree with the previous review. Buy this album - and I'd like to think - that the soulful harmonies and beautifully revolutionary reggae rhythm and production would not disappoint you. The Wailers are all at their peaks, with Peter Tosh getting more of the limelight and all working together to create some ridiculously awesome harmonies. Bob Marleys voice is notably at its best, and Bunny Wailer never fails to impress. Highlights of the album, for me, include Soul Shakedown Party, Caution, Soul Captives and Soon Come.In conclusion, this album is up there with Soul Revolution, Catch A Fire and Burnin'.Dig?

Wailers!