Ziggy Marley

This past year, Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers won yet another Grammy Award, this time for their most recent album, Fallen Is Babylon. They accepted the honor with the same quiet determination and dignity they’ve displayed when receiving their previous two Grammy’s and all the other accolades that have come their way in their decade-plus career. Since the late 1980’s, the group has reigned as the leading exemplar of reggae’s rich heritage, as well as serving as the spiritual and musical guardians of their father’s indomitable legacy. It’s hard to believe, but The Marleys – Ziggy, brother Stephen, sisters Cedella and Sharon, and their extended family of friends and loved ones – have been crafting their unique sound since they were teenagers. Now, with their fierce respect for tradition stronger than ever, the group is ready to turn a somewhat surprising musical corner with their new release, Spirit Of Music.

Produced by noted producer Don Was (Bob Dylan, Rolling Stones, B-52’s, among others) the disc reflects an exciting new chapter in the family’s colorful history. It’s the first time they have ever worked with an outside producer, and the result is a heartfelt mining of rock and acoustic landscapes seldom explored by the reggae group. Spirit Of Music is true to its title, seamlessly floating on the poignant but pointed writing style of singer/songwriter Ziggy, and bolstered by the beautifully restrained backup vocals of Cedella and Sharon. The new LP also highlights the textured vocal abilities of 26 year old Stephen, who effortlessly masters two Bob Marley classics, “High Tide Or Low Tide,” and “All Day All Night.”

Right from the bluesy, harp-tinged opener (majestically offered up by R&B legend Taj Mahal) “Keep My Faith,” Melody Maker fans will sense an invigorated Ziggy inhabiting a much more bare-bones atmosphere on the new one. “That’s a good song to start the tone of the album,” says Ziggy. “This album to me was about doing music with little addition or subtraction. I wanted to put the songs out with the same emotion as when they come to me. ‘Keep My Faith’ is about the faith that exists from the beginning of time until now, and how nothing really changes if you can hold on to that faith. That is what our music has always been about. Even when the business side of things pulls you this way or that, the music never fails to show what we are about because it is part of our faith. And that faith is bigger than everything.”

Cedella confirms the new disc is definitely still a family effort, even though Ziggy’s vision is at the forefront. “But I do think this album is a much more personal statement from Ziggy than our usual group effort,” she says. “He’s written some great songs that we tried to enhance if we could.” Sharon agrees: “We give special respect to Ziggy for doing what seems so hard. More power to him and 100% backing wherever it’s sweeter.”

Cedella cites the haunting “Gone Away,” the soaring “Beautiful Day,” and the groove-laced “Let It Go” as her personal favorites. “‘Let It Go” is probably the one most in the Melody Makers vein,” she says. “‘Gone Away’ touches that chord in all of us – that we’re all just vessels in this world. We can only hope for the best in this world and go through this life in a way that prepares us for the next.”

Ziggy hints that the song itself was inspired by an actual near-death experience. “When you come to a point where you think you might die there is a tremendous peace that comes over you,” he says. “We should not fear death. I see it as a happy song.”

One track that definitely embodies the Marley goodwill is the aforementioned “Beautiful Day.” “Sometimes when I’m walking around I’ll just stop and look up in the sky,” says Ziggy. “It gives you a different perspective. Everyone should take a few minutes and just stop and look. Keep looking up. It’s endless. We are all part of that continuous space. It represents God. Even a cloudy day is a beautiful day.”

You can also detect Don Was’ straightforward rock arrangement on the euphoric track. Cedella says the tune is so catchy, even her own children know the song by heart. “We did a cut with them on it but it didn’t make the album. But they go around singing it all the time,” she says. “You cannot sing it without forming a smile.”

Cedella and Sharon’s acclaimed singing skills are very much evident on “Beautiful Day,” as well as on the more sensuous tracks, such as the inspiring “Many Waters.”

The album also represents a stepping out of sorts for Stephen. In addition to his role as the Dancehall DJ of the group, his magnetic singing style has begun to evolve on the most recent Melody Maker albums. He’s also made memorable guest appearances on LP’s for the Fugees (a remake of his father’s “No Woman No Cry”) and Spearhead. It’s fitting that Stephen interprets the two Bob Marley tunes on this LP, since his style is most often compared to his dad’s. Stephen also wrote one song on the LP, “One Good Spliff.” He is very philosophical about the Melody Makers place in pop culture. “Our success is what I call a poor man’s success,” he told one magazine. “We just do our music. We don’t worry too much about how things sell.”

Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers do sell millions of albums worldwide however. From 1988’s groundbreaking Conscious Party, to their final Virgin effort, Joy And Blues, they’ve represented what Cedella calls “vintage, spiritual reggae.” Their two Elektra works, 1995’s Free Like We Want 2 B, and 1997’s Fallen Is Babylon, further established their reputation as contemporary reggae’s musical conscience.

Spirit Of Music is sure to mark another exciting epoch for the legendary group. “We’ve always had the fans out there supporting us,” says Cedella. “There’s something about the music that brings people together.

Ziggy seconds the notion, adding that Spirit Of Music just may be the most immediate collection of songs he has ever done. “It’s meant to connect with others as I feel it. This is the essence of my music,” he says. “You’re hearing more of how it is when it is just me and my guitar. How I feel about the songs at the time I’m writing them. It’s not so much guessing – should the song go in this direction or that. It’s what I’m feeling at this time.”