Bob Marley & The Wailers - Rare, Unreleased & Lesser Known Cuts

Like millions around the world, Bob Marley & The Wailers were the first reggae band to go international and reach the mainstream consciousness of what had been happening for years in Jamaica.

Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records, took this young group of dedicated and passionate vocalists and band, added a rockier edge, polished the mixes, and unleashed what would become a phenomenon that has remained ingrained in the ears of people worldwide. Marley, in particular, has become the symbol of hope, freedom, and reggae. There is not a person on the planet who does not know his name, and that is truly saying something, as very few ever achieve global immortality.

For this mix I wanted to see what else I could dig up and share with you. Whether it's a demo, alternate version, unreleased track, or simply one that needed to be dusted off, revisited, and heard once again with the community of reggae lovers today.

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TRIVIA

Original Name: Before becoming "The Wailers," the group was briefly known as The Teenagers, The Wailing Rudeboys, and The Wailing Wailers.

Cover Band Beginnings: Their first hit, "Simmer Down" (1964), was recorded at Studio One, where they often covered American R&B songs before developing their unique reggae sound.

Shared Mic Days: In early shows, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer would often share a single microphone during performances due to budget constraints.

Island Records’ Breakthrough Gamble: Chris Blackwell of Island Records gave the Wailers £4,000 upfront to record Catch a Fire — a bold move, as no reggae group had been promoted to rock audiences that way before.

"No Woman, No Cry" Studio Trickery: The hit version of “No Woman, No Cry” is labeled as “live,” but it’s a studio track with crowd noise overdubbed to sound like a live performance.

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PLAYLIST

1. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Babylon Feel Dis One (Take 2)

2. Bob Marley & The Wailers - She Used To Call Me Dada

3. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Slogans

4. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Top Rankin (Unreleased Version)

5. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Thank You Lord

6. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Stand Alone

7. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Hammer

8. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Could You Be Loved (Rare Demo)

9. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Revalation

10. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Trenchtown Rock (Rare Demo)

11. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Shakeup (Rare Demo)

12. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Rocking Steady

13. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Small Axe

14. Bob Marley & The Wailers - Riding High

15. Bob Marley & the Wailers - Ambush In The Night (Alt Version Rare)

16. Bob Marley & the Wailers - Crisis (Rare unrealesed 12” Version)

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