Uprising [LP]

by Bob Marley & the Wailers, Bob Marley

Overview

Uprising would be the final studio album featuring Bob Marley & the Wailers to be released during Marley's lifetime. Prophetically, it also contains some of the band's finest crafted material, as if they were cognizant that this would be their final outing. The album's blend of religious and secular themes likewise creates a very powerful and singular quest for spirituality in a material world. Although it is argued that an album's graphic design rarely captures the essence of the work inside, the powerful rebirthing image of a rock solid Marley emerging with his arms raised in triumph could not be a more accurate visual description of the musical jubilation within. Musically, the somewhat staid rhythms often synonymous with reggae have been completely turned around to include slinky and liquid syncopation. "Work," "Pimper's Paradise," and the lead-off track "Coming in From the Cold" are all significant variations on the lolloping Rasta beat. The major difference is the sonic textures that manipulate and fill those patterns. The inventive and unique guitar work of Al Anderson -- the only American member of the original Wailers -- once again redefines the role of the lead electric guitar outside of its standard rock & roll setting. "Zion Train" is awash in wah-wah-driven patterns creating an eerie, almost ethereal backdrop against Marley's lyrics, which recollect images from Peter Tosh's "Stop That Train" all the way back on Marley & the Wailers' international debut Catch a Fire. The final track on the original pressing of Uprising is "Redemption Song." Never has an artist unknowingly written such a beautiful and apropos living epitaph. The stark contrast from the decidedly electric and group-oriented album to this hauntingly beautiful solo acoustic composition is as dramatic as it is visionary. Less than a year after the release of Uprising, Marley would succumb to cancer. The 2001 "Definitive Remaster" version of Uprising contains the band version of "Redemption Song" and the 12" mix of "Could You Be Loved." ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	09/25/2015
Label:	Island / Tuff Gong
UPC:	0602547276285
Rank:	23107

Tracks

1. Coming in from the Cold
2. Real Situation
3. Bad Card
4. We and Dem
5. Work
6. Zion Train
7. Pimper's Paradise
8. Could You Be Loved
9. Forever Loving Jah
10. Redemption Song

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bob Marley & the Wailers   Primary Artist
Bob Marley   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
The Wailers   Primary Artist
Alfa Anderson   Guitar (Electric)
I-Threes   Vocals (Background)
Rita Marley   Vocals (Background)
Carlton "Carly" Barrett   Drums,Percussion
Tyrone Downie   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Junior Marvin   Guitar,Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Marcia Griffiths   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Aston Barrett   Bass,Piano,Guitar,Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Earl Lindo   Keyboards
Judy Mowatt   Vocals (Background)
Alvin Patterson   Percussion
Al Anderson   Guitar

Technical Credits

Bob Marley & the Wailers   Performer
Bob Marley   Composer,Producer
Chris Blackwell   Mixing,Producer,Executive Producer
Errol Brown   Engineer
Rob Fraboni   Remastering
The Wailers   Mixing,Producer
Neville Garrick   Art Direction
Barry Diament   Remastering
Adrian Boot   Photography