Any roots/rock/reggae groove worth his roach clip owns the seminal albums CATCH A FIRE and UPRISING, but LEGEND seems to be the one compilation that virtually EVERYONE owns. After all, BOB MARLEY's universal message of love, hope, and understanding transcended race, gender, and musical taste. Most folks were first exposed to Jamaica's biggest star in the early seventies via JOHNNY NASH's hit cover of STIR IT UP and ERIC CLAPTON's chart-topping take on I SHOT THE SHERIFF; both lacked MARLEY's emotion-charged vocals, but captured his fiery spirit. Stark acoustic protest REDEMPTION SONG...slinky dance-floor fave COULD YOU BE LOVED (spotlighting BOB's female backing trio THE I THREES)...provocative singalong anthem GET UP STAND UP...these are as important and well loved as any ZEP or STONES staple from the same era. The mighty WAILERS, featuring future stars PETER TOSH and BUNNY LIVINGSTON figure prominently in the mix, but it's the master humanitarian himself that gets every message across with ear-grabbing grace and hypnotic beauty.
RATING: FIVE SPLIFFS
By: Dave Chavert.