Bob Marley The Bob Marley Songbook 2LP

Bob Marley is one of those artists for whom it is impossible to divorce their cultural impact from their musical achievement. Marley was music's first superstar from outside the U.K. or U.S.; his success reached nations that other rock stars didn't, he was truly international, as big in Lagos or Harare as he was in London or New York. As the '70s dawned the Wailers were winding their way in the musical world and part of their journey was informed by one of Jamaican music's quintessential collaborations. Working with producer Lee Perry, the music they created forms the basis of Charly's unique compilation, with recordings as vital as anything that would follow. In the 40 years since, stardom has internationalized thanks to the Internet. No longer is an artist's success restricted to the United States, Europe and Australasia. Yet superstars still largely come from the U.S., and Bob Marley stands out as the only recording star of his magnitude to have emerged from Jamaica, a country whose per capita musical output dwarfs almost anywhere else in the world. He was a unique talent whose music continues to reverberate.