Bob Marley, Usain Bolt and the Kaya album

 

Bob Marley, Usain Bolt, and the Album Kaya? - 2014

It would not be hard for you to believe that the new “Darling“ within Jamaica at this moment in time is the one and only Usain Bolt.

Usain Bolt’s name is everywhere in Jamaica. I mean everywhere. Motorway hoardings are in all of the newspapers most of the time and all over the Television networks within Jamaica. 

I was just thinking of him as I saw him in yet another Commercial advert here in England. Please click on the YouTube video that features Usain Bolt.

Usain Bolt has become legendary within Jamaica if not the whole world, and the reason why is because of these feats like this.

USAIN BOLT IS THE FIRST MAN TO HOLD BOTH THE 100-METER AND 200-METER WORLD RECORDS SINCE FULLY AUTOMATIC TIME MEASUREMENTS BECAME THE RULE IN ATHLETICS IN 1977.

ALONG WITH HIS TEAMMATES, HE ALSO SET THE WORLD RECORD IN THE 4 X 100 METRES. HE IS ALSO THE REIGNING OLYMPIC CHAMPION IN THESE THREE EVENTS, THE FIRST MAN TO WIN SIX OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS IN SPRINTING, AND AN EIGHT-TIME WORLD CHAMPION.

HE WAS THE FIRST TO ACHIEVE A "DOUBLE DOUBLE" BY WINNING 100 Metres AND 200 Metres TITLES AT CONSECUTIVE OLYMPICS (2008 AND 2012), AND TOPPED THIS THROUGH THE FIRST "DOUBLE TRIPLE" (INCLUDING 4×100 RELAYS)  - Article by Gary Shelton - August 2012

However, though all these plaudits given to Usain Bolt are justified, I still do not think he will reach the level of adulation that Bob Marley is still given in Jamaica. If I have got this wrong Jamaica.

I hold up my hands and apologize to you and Mr.Bolt without question. Bob Marley and Wailers came out at the right time and place and put Jamaica on the map Internationally through the music of Reggae.

Although Jimmy Cliff was Jamaica's first, real true International selling star.

It was Bob Marley and the Wailers that really pushed the sound of Reggae music around the globe and made the country of Jamaica stand out as an area making this new exciting sound called Reggae. But the music was just great whatever they called it.  

Bob Marley and the Wailer's work over the years spanned all forms of Modern-day Reggae music. From Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, and Roots Reggae they mastered their trade.

However, the appeal of the group seemed to be that they never lost track of the people that they hoped to represent.

The sufferers of "Trenchtown" (within Kingston, Jamaica)  where most of the band came from originally. As they musically gained respect around the world. The black race in general around the globe.

Usain Bolt has had a few words to say on the matter himself - ^“WHEN IT COMES TO BOB MARLEY, BOB MARLEY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST JAMAICAN LEGENDS.

HE DID GREAT FOR THE COUNTRY BEFORE ME. I'M JUST CARRYING OUT HIS DUTY, PRETTY MUCH. I WOULDN’T SAY I’M GREATER THAN HIM. WE HAD THE SAME GOAL: TO MAKE JAMAICA ONE OF THE MOST LOVED COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.” Article by Peter Hayward - 11th August 2011

Since Bob Marley died in 1981, he has been labeled as the King of Reggae Music now and forevermore.

However, I would like to take you back to the year 1978. It was during that year that the legendary concert called One Love Peace Concert took place (*April 22, 1978 ) at The National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica.

It was at this same concert that during the same year (1978) the political civil war was waging within Jamaica.

It was between the two opposing Political parties of the time who were the Jamaican Labour Party and the People's National Party. An Article by Cassey Gane-McCalla - 3rd June 2010

Probably the most dramatic and lasting impressions of that concert came during Bob Marley & The Wailers' performance of "Jammin'" when Marley joined the hands of political rivals Michael Manley (PNP) and Edward Seaga (JLP).

Bob Marley took both their hands, brought them together, and raised them above his head, symbolizing unity. Bob was to release the album from the same year which is today my day my favorite Reggae Album of all.

The album is called “KAYA”.

This album was to be released to coincide with Bob Marley and the Wailer's first world tour and in anticipation of their inclusion in the concert that was the 1978 One Love Peace Concert. (*As mentioned above).

When the album was released it surprised a lot of people. Many music critics at the time remarked on how many of the songs were about love, peace, and tranquillity.

This was totally against what was happening all around them at the time within Jamaica.

These same music critics state that they prefer the album called “Exodus” which was produced at the same time as “Kaya”.(*However Exodus was released to the world first in 1977).

Both of these albums were created when Bob Marley was in exile in London, England. This was due after an attempt was made on his wife's life, his manager's life, and his very own.

My personal view of "Exodus"(The Album) was that this album was more on the "edge". It was talking about a struggle, a call to arms,  a fight against the authorities if you want to go even further with it.

However, there a times in your life when everything is not all about fighting, a call to arms or even being anti-establishment.

Sometimes peace and love are the order of the day. And with “Kaya” (The album) you certainly got that.

Last year (2013) the 35-year edition version of the album (KAYA) was released to showcase how good this album was and still is.

It came with an additional track or two, and other goodies.
My favorite track on the album of Kaya is, "Is This Love”.

Bob Marley and the Wailers -  Is This Love - 1978

I suppose this is the same for you too? However, the other stand-out cuts from the album are these in my opinion – "Satisfy Your Soul, Easy Skanking, She’s Gone, Misty Morning and Kaya".

6 great tracks from a 10-song album. That's not bad going, is it?

The good thing about this is that it still sounds good today and those tracks have not dated.

Side one               


No.     Title                        Length                                                                 


1       "Easy Skanking"        2:58                                                                   


2.      "Kaya"                      3:15                                                                   


3.      "Is This Love"            3:52                                                                   


4.      "Sun Is Shining"        4:58                                                                   


5.      "Satisfy My Soul"       4:31                                                                   



Side two 

No.     Title                       Length                                                                 


6.      "She's Gone"             2:25                                                                   


7.      "Misty Morning"         3:33                                                                   


8.      "Crisis"                      3:54                                                                   


9.      "Running Away"         4:15                                                                   


10.     "Time Will Tell"          3.29

In my opinion, this was Bob Marley’s best-ever album. The album has lasted the test of time because it's not hard on the ears.

The melodies are soothing and relaxing. And the message is about love in general (and another substance???), not hate throughout. And you just can't beat that, can you?

The lyrics on the album are time lasting and can reach all of us whether you are black, white, yellow, or brown.

So I am going to leave you with this. Out of the tracks on this album which is your favorite?  Did you like the album (KAYA)? I am talking about the album "Kaya" of course.

If you want to discuss this or any other part that I have touched upon within this article then please e-mail/Message me with your views

Dj Mistri

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