The Complete Bob Marley & The Wailers: 1967-1972 Part 2

The second installment of the "lost" Bob Marley and the Wailers tracks is like a cache of buried treasure. As was the case with the heralded first collection, this three-CD set, which covers Marley and the Wailers from 1970-1971, have their origins in the early sessions Marley did for the JAD label. Due to a myriad of twisted legal reasons, these sessions (another set is due out shortly) were never released outside of Jamaica. Many of the songs on this superb anthology would ultimately be recorded again by Marley and his band under Chris Blackwell's watch. What helps make this collection essential is that the man at boards is Lee "Scratch" Perry, the once and future God of Dub and beyond. Check out Perry's more sped up, rawer version of "Four Hundred Years" (later retitled "400 Years" and released on Catch a Fire--or the numerous dub and instrumentals, all of which shine a light on the Wailers as a band. With many familiar cuts ("Kaya," "African Herbsman," an early version of "Who the Cap Fits") and previously unheard songs, some of which never made it out of sound systems in Kingston, this is an intoxicating look at works in progress and the development of a sound and an icon. --Amy Linden