‘Reggae music is simple music–but it’s from the heart. Just as people need water to drink, people also need music. If it is true music, then people will be drawn to it.’ – Ziggy Marley
Ziggy’s second solo album, Love is My Religion is light and tasty. Drawing on his undeniable reggae roots, Ziggy fuses West African styles, acoustic guitar, reggae licks and dubs to produce a smooth 12-track album. Writing playing and producing most of the album, David ‘Ziggy’ Marley proves himself again as a multi-talented musician.
The oldest child of Bob’s 13-strong tribe, Ziggy first performed and recorded as part of the Melody Makers in 1979, with siblings, Cedella, Stephen and Sharon. Their debut with Bob, Children Playing in the Streets, was a big hit and the band still performs today, with eight albums under their belt.
Stand outs from Love is My Religion were the irie roots tune Make Some Music. Still the Storms, the only politically-fueled number addresses the wars in Africa, and Be Free Dub was also heavy.
The legacy of Bob Marley lives on through Ziggy’s dry and melodic voice. The album is palatable, but not a must-listen for heavy roots fans. Pop overtones come through in On the Beach in Hawaii and the title track. You can kind of picture Ziggy hanging out on some breezy surf beach with Jack Johnson, strumming away on his guitar and singing sweet little ditties. But I guess that’s his universal appeal.
Ziggy is committed to nurturing youth talent, saying, ‘The revolution is still alive and the youth, them have to know that.’ He performs with Ghetto Youths International with his bros Stephen, Julian and Damian Marley.
This multi-talented prodigal son also voiced the Rasta jellyfish in the film Shark Tale. Wow!
Misteek
