If you don't have it, go buy it

This box set came out a few years ago in a limited-edition version and it was recently re-released to the public again. Those who have never heard Marley may want to get the Legend album first, but most people know who the great reggae-man is. Assuming you are one of those people, go out right now and get this set (well, maybe finish reading this opinion first and recommend it :) I promise you that it will be $40 or so very well spent.

Bob Marley is one of the most prolific songwriters and musical leaders of the 20th century. This is quite a statement since in the past 40 years alone we saw the birth of some of the major musical genres including rock n' roll, motown, hip-hop, etc. This century has seen the likes of such great musicians and songwriters as the Gershwins, Miles Davis, Coltrane, Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Bob Dylan, and Paul Simon. Nevertheless, I stand behind my statement that Marley ranks as high as the aforementioned great, if not greater.

Let me elaborate. Bob Marley was born in Jamaica, the son of a white man and a black woman and grew up in poverty, raised by his mother. He picked up a guitar largely on his own and was strongly influenced by the local Jamaican music. Throughout his career which was cut short by his tragic death due to poorly-treated cancer in 1980, he singlehandedly brought what is now called world-music (not simply reggae) to Europe and the United States, wrote some of the most recognizable music of the past few decades (covered since by artist such as Eric Clapton, the Fugees, Charlie Hunter and countless others), and was an active political leader.

Marley wrote relatively simple music, but some of the most prolific musicians (such as Trey Anastasio from Phish, Charlie Hunter, Clapton, etc.) comment on his amazing ability to perform with incredible power and soul both live and on record. He fought for causes all over the world, including freeing Zimbabwe and the equality for black people all over the world.

So how does this box set fit into all this? Perfectly.
It has 4 CDs and a wonderful 95 page booklet with pictures, stories, history, and reflections of Marley's family and friends. Now on to the music. This collection is the most comprehensive ever released of Marley's music. It does not contain all his songs, but the 78 that is has are all strong and powerful. Furthermore, many are either previously unreleased or unfamiliar versions that sound fresh to the ear.

As the other reviews point out, it is broken down into 4 disks by themes ranging from his early stuff starting with "Judge Not" and ending with the last song he ever performed, the haunting "Redemption Song" live from Pittsburgh in 1980. I would strongly recommend sitting down, throwing all 4 disks in your CD changer and just listening to it all the way through--you will not regret it.

We have a lot to learn from Bob Marley, and nothing can bring his genius back to life, but this box set at least opens our eyes to the full scope of the genius of this wonderful man.

Emancipate yourself from mental slavery and go and shell out the $40 for this collection.