View Full Version : mind control by stephen marley
this is my opinion on the tracks
1. Mind Control **1/2
2. Hey Baby ***
3. Officer Jimmy (Interlude)
4. Iron Bars ***1/2
5. The Traffic Jam **
6. You're Gonna Leave **1/2
7. Chase Dem ***
8. Lonely Avenue ****
9. Let Her Dance ****
10. Fed Up **1/2
11. Ina Di Red ***1/2
a nice review by Peggy Quattro from http://www.reggaereport.com/home.php
STEPHEN MARLEY
MIND CONTROL
GHETTO YOUTHS/UNIVERSAL REPUBLIC
* * * * *
This debut album from Stephen ?Ragga? Marley was well worth the wait. Three-plus years in the making, we waited as Stephen produced Grammy-winning albums for his brother Damian. Now it is Stephen?s time to shine. I cannot stop talking about this CD. It is a fresh collection of new Reggae together with old-school, Hip-Hop, Latin and R&B, with a little Blues, Country and Roots thrown in. Each song takes you on a musical journey into the life and mind of Stephen Marley.
From the haunting intro of ?Mind Control,? Stephen leads you down the road of mental slavery. With a call to free ourselves of this suppression, Stephen follows the path set up by his mentor and father. He says he did not sit down to write a political song; but what he depicts is what he sees, and if it?s political?so be it. He warns that today?s leaders offer the possibility of destroying one?s soul and corrupting one?s thoughts. With a call to wake up and raise our consciousness, not be fooled or victimized, he also states positively that the truth is out there for all to see.
Upon first hearing ?Hey Baby,? I was touched by the kindness and sincerity of its story. My feeling was it was a love song. And it is. However, it was written for his children. A song he used to sing to them while on the road touring; now they consider it their song! Listeners can take what they want from it because the message is simply love. The addition of a two-year-old remixed rap by Brooklyn-based Hip-Hop star Mos Def adds ?swagger,? as Stephen says, and adds to the uniqueness of the album.
The short comic interlude of ?Office Jimmy? sets up the next track, ?Iron Bars.? Based on a 2002 unfortunate incident in a Tallahassee jail when Julian and Stephen were arrested for a small quantity of herb, this is the track where Stephen declares he is an ?angry lion.? Brother Julian adds a heartfelt verse, while NYC-born Hip-Hop artist Mr. Cheeks delivers a scathing view on the feelings that come with being locked up. JA Dancehall star Spragga Benz finishes with a bleeped-out call for ?getting outta here.? Blaze it, indeed.
?Traffic Jam? features Damian ?Jr. Gong? Marley DJing with a Hip-Hop feel. This also deals with the hassles of a traffic stop and being taken ?dung a station,? maybe for having a nice car, rims and jewelry (along with some ganja). Stephen displays versatility by coming in with his Ragga-Dancehall style and fashion. This one is sure to be a hit with Damian?s fans and has the prospect of opening up a brand new market to Stephen?s great talent.
The vibe changes up with ?You?re Gonna Leave,? where Stephen openly exhibits genuineness. On this track you can tell that he?s listening to his inner voice. You may think it is a girl speaking when actually a voice in Stephen?s head is heard speaking, admitting that he?s confused and going to leave his girl. A relationship that combines pleasure and pain (Sandpaper kisses, paper cut bliss, from Martina Topley-Bird lyrics) is sure to end. (You?re gonna leave her/You have deceived her?ooh, just a girl).
One of my favorites is ?Chase Dem.? At first you think it?s Bob Marley and the Wailers. You look at your music player, puzzled as Stephen delivers easy-skanking musical instructions for listeners to run away politicians for their trickery and lies. Definite shades of his father, from the message to the rhythm to the vocal touches. This is a great message song for Reggae dancing!
Next is ?Lonely Avenue.? I loved this track right away. Recently, I learned it is a classic written by Ray Charles! Now given a distinct Bob Marley feel, this is another exposed chink in male armor. Stephen admits he is a huge fan and that this song ? the only one not written by him ? has numerous meanings, from the pain of interpersonal relationships to everyday youth struggles. ?Now, my room it?s got two windows, but sunshine never comes through/You know it?s always dark and dreary since I broke off things with you? Someone help me Lord.?
When the rhythmic ?Let Her Dance? begins, you will once again do a double take. Then you will succumb to the distinct Latin beat and driving Brazilian groove that forces you to get up and dance, dance, dance?cha! Another favorite of mine, this is sure to fill dance floors and be part of Latin dance/aerobic classes nationwide. Maya Azucena and Illestr8 provide additional vocals. Think Shakira, do the shimmy, and have a grand time!
Another favorite is ?Fed Up.? A flute-infused ode to possible lost love, Stephen sadly realizes because ?he is too demanding? and plays silly games, his lady is fed up. Fine guitar work, both electric and acoustic, add to the sultry feel of this snare-driven, harmonic production. Although he voices doubt of finding this love again, regret for ?treating her this way,? and realizing she?s fed up, there is still an indication that she won?t leave after all. (?Cuz you know I?ll still stay.?)
The final cut is ?Inna di Red.? If you are like most non-Jamaicans, you will have no clue what this means. In Patois, the yolk of an egg is referred to as red. This popular saying infers you are in the center of things, involved, not a bystander. This is where Rasta stands. Stephen declares Rasta as the center of things, a heavy responsibility where the burden may be eased with the roll of a spliff. From this irie place, he is able to free himself from the pain of humankind?s hate, and pray for Jah?s strength, love and grace. Red eye refers to envious people, the copycats (so to speak). Rasta proclaims that none of these shall escape Jah judgment. Rasta stands inna di red. Guitarist Ben Harper, who you can tell felt this song, adds Bluesy-Roots style licks. To reinforce this insight, the CD concludes with Bob Marley?s grandchildren singing: ?So when we call him Rastafari, what shall we contend with?Heathen nah like Jah name,? followed by the sweetest laughter of a loving father.
An outstanding compilation of Reggae, Dancehall, Hip-Hop, Blues and Pop. An album that mixes Reggae melodies over Hip-Hop beats results in a new Marley standard. Stephen brings the generations together with his own words, music and production. He provides a glimpse of what Bob Marley may have done in this time and space. This ?angry lion? is certainly no copycat of his father.
I like the album. I got it the day it was released. The only thing I don't like it the Officer Jimmy Interlude. Not only is the "interlude" so old and outdated it is totally stupid. It is not even a cleaver interlude. If I never hear another interlude for as long as I live I will be very happy. I blame De La Soul and Dr.Dre for that crap. But, Stephen dropped a nice album.
Now for the big question......Kymani where is your next album????
Kymani is still by far my most favorite son. Ziggy, a very close #2, Stephen #3, Damian then Julian. :)
?So when we call him Rastafari, what shall we contend with?Heathen nah like Jah name
nah like means no like or now like?
"Stand in love, don't fall in love"......classic line in " Lonely Avenue"
"He provides a glimpse of what Bob Marley may have done in this time and space. This ?angry lion? is certainly no copycat of his father."
Well, this i just speculation. Where Bob may have been musically in 2007 is not possible for us to know. Mind control is a decent r?n b/reggae/ragga/hip hop album but Stephens talent can not be compared to his father in any way. So no glimpses here!:-) And not a copycat...hmmm, just take a listen to the more reggae oriented tracks.
However, god album dat! Chase dem Stephen, chase dem!
/Dreadbear
"He provides a glimpse of what Bob Marley may have done in this time and space. This ?angry lion? is certainly no copycat of his father."
Well, this i just speculation. Where Bob may have been musically in 2007 is not possible for us to know. Mind control is a decent r?n b/reggae/ragga/hip hop album but Stephens talent can not be compared to his father in any way. So no glimpses here!:-) And not a copycat...hmmm, just take a listen to the more reggae oriented tracks.
However, god album dat! Chase dem Stephen, chase dem!
/Dreadbear
i wonder:
if bob were alive today. his music would be more similar to stephen's mind control, damian's welcome to jamrock or ziggy's love is my religion?
In my opinion more similar to ziggy sound
I think it is ridiculous to say Stephen's talent can in NO WAY be compared to his fathers. In fact I would say Stephen's studio talents are way past what Bob's were. Of course his songwriting talents are not on par with Bob's, BUT nobody's are. I would say he is a better songwriter than 90% of the people making money off of writing songs and he can sing an play guitar just as well as anybody. Personal opinions I guess.
In most cases then it comes to comparing artists it is a matter about personal opinions. But then it comes to Bob and his sons we have to face facts. Bob is up there with the greatest legends but his sons play in a complete different division. Bob was/is a legend and his sons has none of this merits (yet I must add, one never knows what the future might hide) I?m rather sure this comparission hadn?t been made if Ziggy, Stephen, Kymani, and Jr Gong had not been the sons of Bob. This is just speculation (and hopes) but I really wish, not being a great fan of hiphop and r?n b, he had stuck more to his Jamaican roots than his sons, though I?m not to sure about that I must add:-) There?s alot of r?n b on the charts out there but the reggaeworld still is waiting for a new megastar like Bob. Shaun Paul and all a dem is just a breeze compared to the impact Bob hade on the world!
Big up to you all!
/Dreadbear
Dready B I see what you are saying, I guess I'm just giving the sons more credit than they ever get.
To tell you where I'm coming from here is how I look at it, as I have mentioned many times here before. Bob Marley is the alltime #1, singer, songwriter, performer, songwriter etc. Nobody comes close, not Dylan, Lenon, Stevie Wonder, jimi, nobody is in the same universe as Bob. Now, they may be there with record sales, #1 hits, fan reviews, etc.. but in terms of actual songs, they have one meaningfull song for every 20 of Bob's (all love songs set aside). In fact all of them combined maybe have 10 meaningfull songs as a whole. I could be wrong on that, b/c I'm not very well versed on my solo Lenon songs, but as much as I love The Beatles albums at least the last 6 or so, those songs are not saying anything besides tripped out jibberish (walrus, Lucy, Magical Mystery tour, while my guitar, helter skelter etc...) There is no message to those songs. Stevie probably comes as close as any non reggae singer to having the most songs with a message. And really after 79' he dropped that style of music and moved onto a whole new pop venture.
So, back to my point I'm trying to make and probably never will. I guess I would need to know what "merits" specifically you are talking about. The way I see it, all cultural and world wide exposure set aside and set aside the fact that Bob is the best songwriter of the last century and this current century; set those 2 things aside and his sons (at least Ziggy and Stephen) have many of Bob's merits. I don't think there is an arguement as to the numerous really good songs Ziggy has written over the years. I mean the guy has written enough songs for 12+ albums. And 95% of them are honest to JAH good songs, that most songwriters would kill to write just one. They have a message, good lyrics, good music, they get performed very well, well crafted etc..
And If I understand your one statement correctly I agree that if Bob had not been anyone of these guys' dad, they would be regarded as incredible reggae musicians today. Instead that are regarded as one of Bob's many children.
As far as speculation as to what music Bob might be playing these days and having the hope that Bob would have stuck to his JA roots more than his sons, I wonder about all of the people who back in the 70's said Bob ditched his JA roots for a white rock n' roll sound. Many said he sold out and left the true JA roots for artist like Burning Spear, Pablo Moses, Ras Michael etc... I certainly don't agree as every single song Bob ever sang sounds reggae to me just like Stephen's album sounds reggae to me. You can call the album a cross over or whatever you like but the fact of the matter is, it is a reggae album. 99% of the people who buy it will be reggae fans with the other 1% being split between r n b, hip hop and general buyers.
and if the reggae world is waiting for a new megastar like Bob, they will be waiting for a long long time. There is a better chance that we will see the next Tiger Woods AND Michael Jordan before we see the next reggae megastar like Bob. And right now I don't see another Tiger or Jordan coming down the pike anytime soon.
People always ask me who I think is the best reggae artist around today and I can say without a doubt Ziggy Marley.
Just some rambling incoherent thoughts :)
joe wroteNobody comes close, not Dylan, Lenon, Stevie Wonder, jimi, nobody is in the same universe as Bob.
For real Joe; when Bob belatedly got the Grammy lifetime achievement award a few years ago - it was really telling what the presenter said of the other inductees (including the Beach Boys) they were noted for their great songs but Bob was the only noted for his universal themes and being a champion of human rights. Nobody else is in the same league as him. As somebody else said on this forum Bob Marley is the Bob Marley for the 21st Century.
As for his sons - they are great in their own right (most of them at least) and Bob's legacy casts a tremendous shadow; it's not even fair to compare them to their Dad. Damian is my favourite, he has the same message in a nowadays context. An interviewer asked him what was it like to be in his father's shadow and he rightly said - Rasta nuh cast shadow him cast light...
You hit the nail on the head Dane.
That's the difference between Bob and all the other musicians that people are always trying to place in his universe.
All of them including Bob wrote great songs, no doubt about it. The difference is Bob's songs had a meaning and spoke/speak to people of the entire world.
It's funny you mention the Beach Boys and I did not in my earlier post b/c I put Brian Wilson in my top 5 alltime songwriters list. But the difference is his songs are just great, with catchy melodies, good arrangements, nice music, BUT no message. (granted every great songwriter is probably going to have a song here and there with a message, but I'm talking about all of their works as a whole) Bob came right out of the gates with 'Judge Not' a nice sing with a GREAT message and he never stoped with his universal messages.
And as a whole the same goes for The Beatles, Rolling Stones, jimi hendrix, Bob Dylan. Great catchy songs with no messages. And I still love all of their songs. I'm not on some high horse and only listen to songs with a message. I enjoy good music and good songs, I don't care the genre, sex, era....it does not matter. I love good music and that's it. It could be Tool,Jamiroquai, The Beach Boys or the Beastie Boys, don't matter.
Kymani is still my favorite son. Ziggy is a very close 2nd. :)
p.s. that was me that said Bob Marley is the Bob Marley of the 21st century.
I don?t want to provoke but to be honest I don?t think none of Marley bros even play in the first division of reggae, like Burning Spear, Sizzla, Luciano, Capleton, Bunny Wailer etc ...but i suspect that you don?t agree with me on that matter. :) Then it comes to Stephens album I still think it is more a r?n b album than reggae.
Bless up!!!
Over and out!
/Dreadbear
I will give you Spear and Bunny with no arguments, but to not put Ziggy, in the same division as Sizzla, Luciano and Capleton. Now that I 100% don't agree with. Ziggy was writing great songs like Lying In Bed and touring the world with a solid band when those 3 were still hanging around recording studios learning what it was all about. Ziggy first recorded a song in the studio in 79 and a full album in 85. Sizzla did not come onto the scene until 10 years later, Luciano about 8 years later and Capleton about 5 years later, so to not even put Ziggy in the same division as those guys is really doing the guy some injustice. Don't write any of them off just b/c they are Bob's sons. Judge them on the merits of the songs they have wrote and recorded. I wonder what the 3 of dem would say in regards to Ziggy. I'm sure they would all put themselves into his division and not the other way around.
Oh well we all love reggae music and that is what is important. :)
Well now we are really deep into personal opinions but to me Ziggy is just not roots enough! :D Bob was roots but I only think Kymani is the one of his sons that carry the roots tradition.
Bless up!
As much as Kymani is my favorite son, one of the main reason I like him so much is b/c he goes outside of the roots music. In fact to me Ziggy is 100% roots and Kymani is about 80% roots. What Kymani does is mix straight up Hip Hop with reggae music look at the songs he has recorded Warriors, Seed Will Grow, the song he recently recorded with Elephant Man. Kymani is a hip hop reggae singer out of Miami , FL, Julian is more straight up roots than Kymani, so is Stephen and Ziggy is more roots than all of them besides maybe Julian, they may be about the same. All Ziggy has ever recorded in his whole career is roots music. Even his albums such as dragonfly and Love is My Religion are more roots than Seed Will Grow or Royal Vibes. I have a feeling your just saying this stuff to get a rise out of me :) b/c you surely can't honestly believe some of the stuff you are posting. I think you simply don't like the sons and for whatever reason really don't like Ziggy, so you try to come up with this nonsense. Remember many people thought just like you are thinking now that Bob ditched his roots music for a watered down rock sound and sometimes disco sound. Rememeber Fams refused to play bass on Punky Reggae Party b/c it was not roots enough or as he saw it, it was not roots at all. Carly also did not want to play on it but decided he would help out the Skip. :) One Love
kymani is going to realize his next album!
25 september
Yes and I can't wait. If it continues where Many More Roads left off it will be great.
As much as Kymani is my favorite son, one of the main reason I like him so much is b/c he goes outside of the roots music. In fact to me Ziggy is 100% roots and Kymani is about 80% roots. What Kymani does is mix straight up Hip Hop with reggae music look at the songs he has recorded Warriors, Seed Will Grow, the song he recently recorded with Elephant Man. Kymani is a hip hop reggae singer out of Miami , FL, Julian is more straight up roots than Kymani, so is Stephen and Ziggy is more roots than all of them besides maybe Julian, they may be about the same. All Ziggy has ever recorded in his whole career is roots music. Even his albums such as dragonfly and Love is My Religion are more roots than Seed Will Grow or Royal Vibes. I have a feeling your just saying this stuff to get a rise out of me :) b/c you surely can't honestly believe some of the stuff you are posting. I think you simply don't like the sons and for whatever reason really don't like Ziggy, so you try to come up with this nonsense. Remember many people thought just like you are thinking now that Bob ditched his roots music for a watered down rock sound and sometimes disco sound. Rememeber Fams refused to play bass on Punky Reggae Party b/c it was not roots enough or as he saw it, it was not roots at all. Carly also did not want to play on it but decided he would help out the Skip. :) One Love
Sorry Joe! I don?t want to provoke you at all, I just have a different opinion about what should be called roots and what?s not. Don?t call my opinion nonsense....that?s not One love! To me Ziggy and Stephen are more in the popreggae territory than anything else. And I still don?t think they play in same division as their father.
Blessings!
Dreadbear
this is my opinion on the tracks
1. Mind Control ***
2. Hey Baby ***
3. Officer Jimmy (Interlude)
4. Iron Bars ****
5. The Traffic Jam ****
6. You're Gonna Leave **1/2
7. Chase Dem ***
8. Lonely Avenue ***
9. Let Her Dance **
10. Fed Up **1/2
11. Ina Di Red ****
this is a good album
Dreadbear,
What is your definition of "Roots"?
Dreadbear,
How about we agree to disagree.
I meant no harm in my nonsense remark.
Cool Runnings my friend :)
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