The Complete Bob Marley & The Wailers: 1967-1972 Part 2
The second installment of the "lost" Bob Marley and the Wailers  tracks is like a cache of buried treasure. As was the case with the  heralded  first collection, this three-CD set, which covers Marley and  the Wailers from 1970-1971, have their origins in the early sessions  Marley did for the JAD label. Due to a myriad of twisted legal reasons,  these sessions (another set is due out shortly) were never released  outside of Jamaica. Many of the songs on this superb anthology would  ultimately be recorded again by Marley and his band under Chris  Blackwell's watch. What helps make this collection essential is that  the man at boards is Lee "Scratch" Perry, the once and future God of  Dub and beyond. Check out Perry's more sped up, rawer version of  "Four Hundred Years" (later retitled "400 Years" and released onCatch a Fire--or the numerous dub and instrumentals, all of  which shine a light on the Wailers as a band. With many familiar cuts  ("Kaya," "African Herbsman," an early version of "Who the Cap Fits")  and previously unheard songs, some of which never made it out of sound  systems in Kingston, this is an intoxicating look at works in progress  and the development of a sound and an icon.--Amy Linden