Shane’s Rock Challenge: BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – 1978 – Kaya

Shane’s Music Challenge: BOB MARLEY & THE WAILERS – 1978 – Kaya
6.5/10

The opening song of Kaya sums up the vibe of Bob’s 6th international album: Easy Skanking.

Recorded in 1977 at the same time as the album Exodus, and without original Wailers Bunny Livingstone and Peter Tosh, there is little evidence here of Marley’s more militant political songs, or even his overt sprituality – it’s as if they separated them into two groups, released the social observation tunes as Exodus, then the stoner grooves musing on love and happiness on Kaya.

Even Time Will Tell, a celebration of Rastafarianism, is super laid back, never likely to break the mellow high of the band or listener.

Kaya itself is another ultra-mellow groove, and when joined by other classics as Is This Love, Sun Is Shining and Satisfy My Soul, it adds up to perhaps the gentlest album he ever made.

By Shane Pinnegar

Category: Shane's Rock Challenge