Bob Marley's Final Performance Turns Album

At the time, everyone in Pittsburgh's Stanley Theatre knew they were witnesses to history.

Bob Marley stood tall and proud onstage and beckoned them to Get Up, Stand Up, and they responded loudly with wo yo yo yo.

Later they discovered the history they witnessed was, in fact, Marley's last performance.

Live Forever encapsulates the pure energy of that fateful performance by Jamaica's most legendary son.

The original live recording, captured on tape by Marley's engineer Dennis Thompson, has been lovingly preserved and remastered for the 30th anniversary album release exclusively in the Caribbean.

Adding to the distinctiveness of the collection-worthy album is the special eco-friendly packaging.

Bob had ascended to the pinnacle of his career when he took to the stage in Pittsburgh; he had just completed a successful European Uprising tour and had played on sold-out bills in New York's Madison Square Garden. Simply put, he had arrived.

Everything about the concert was a reflection of Marley - the superior production, the masterful collection of musicians and the eclectic range of songs, emphasising the complexity of the man turned superstar.

Freedom fighter

As widely respected journalist Patricia Meschino alluded to in the Live Forever album liner notes, "He was an anointed African freedom fighter celebrating an independent Zimbabwe, a visionary reggae emissary, straight from "yard", on Jammin', and an exiled leader inciting the movement of Jah people on Exodus. A compelling ghetto griot, Bob warned of the impending consequences due to the continual marginalisation of the poor on Burning and Looting and Dem Belly Full; he was a purveyor of peace decrying War and insisting on No More Trouble and a progressive spiritualist glorifying the Natural Mystic. Effectively resolute in his desire to chase those Crazy Baldhead out of town, and in his excoriation of The Heathen, he was also a quintessentially cool roots-rocker, skanking to Carlton and Aston Barrett's deeply grooved drum and bass cadence on the instrumental break of Rastaman Vibration. An irresistible suitor who coyly asked Is This Love? Bob was also a vulnerable, absolutely riveting romantic in his passionately conveyed rendition of No Woman No Cry.

The album also includes live renditions of: Uprising, Coming In From The Cold, Work, Zion Train, Redemption Song and Could You Be Loved. The entire concert, from his opening song to the final applause, spans the special double CD album.

Live Forever is Bob's last live recording from his final concert. This definitive Marley album, special double CD in eco-friendly packaging, is a limited regional release which becomes available through Tuff Gong Distribution on September 23. - The Gleaner

Protoje Brings a Fresh and Enduring Style

Every once and awhile an artist comes along and captures the imagination of the reggae world. Some take the world by storm, charting a big tune, then an album, and then....well, it seems they left almost as fast as they arrived. Sure, they may produce a few other decent tunes but that's about it. There's no staying power, no thew, as it were. Flash in the pan?...One hit wonder?... Call it what you will. The fact of the matter is this: Many are called but few are chosen. So- called artists come and go as quickly as the manna from heaven. Why? Are they focusing on the glitz and glamour? Probably. Do they like the attention? Surely, even if it is short- lived.                                                                                                                   
 Others though, as previously noted, capture the imagination. Why? Sure, they're unique, fresh, and witty but most importantly their heart is in what they do. Music is their life. Music is their passion. Music is their love. One sure indication of this is found in their lyrics. Typically, artists who last have a depth to their words. There's clarity in their thinking. Their tunes are not one-dimensional. It's more than just riding a riddim. It's more than putting together a crafty rhyme. They think before they write. Their footpath is well lit, able to see and relate what's right in front of them. At the same time, their roadway is illuminated, they're able to see things clearly that might be way off in the distance, a vision for the future.
One such artist is Protoje. Born in the 80s but wishing he was born in the 60s, Protoje ( given name Oje Olivierre) is the fresh face with the freshest lyrical delivery, still having a feel of vintage reggae music but being a suitable update for the present time.
Despite being the cousin of chart-topping producer, Donovan 'Don Corleon' Bennett, Protoje continues to resist the urge to lay his vocals on every other riddim in the dancehall mainstream. He is meticulously piecing together his debut album, The Seven Year Itch, while focusing the rest of his efforts on the perfection of his live performances. Thus far he has released three wicked singles, Arguments produced by DJ Karim as well as Dread and J.A. produced by Don Corleon.
From the moment you hear Protoje he'll capture your imagination. He has a flow like no other. A smooth delivery transitions into rapid-fire patois and then back to silky smooth. He's reggae, through and through, but his brand of reggae has a refreshingly modern twist. There is really no one artist that Protoje could be compared to. He doesn't sound like anyone. That fact alone should garner intrigue. Expect big things for Protoje! Most of all, expect Protoje to endure! His passion, dedication, and uniqueness will serve him well into the future.



Protoje - J.A by The Reggae Review