Kaya

by Bob Marley & the Wailers, Bob Marley

Overview

Kaya continues what has become an unspoken tradition in the evolution of Bob Marley & the Wailers' discography -- blending Western sounds and motifs with the icons and traditions from the very core of Jamaican society. In fact, the very word "kaya" is synonymous with marijuana in Rastafarian culture. Likewise, the album Kaya could be easily construed as an open love letter or musical paean to the lifestyle that Marley so eagerly embraced and promoted. Themes of commonality and unity pervade this release more so than previous albums. Likewise, the overt political stances that had become somewhat of a moniker for Marley & the Wailers are temporarily replaced by timeless compositions, such as the eternally optimistic "Easy Skanking" and "Is This Love." Marley had not -- as some proclaimed -- gone soft, however. The light -- at times practically giddy -- rhythms on "Satisfy My Soul" contrast the darker, brooding sonic and lyrical images on "Running Away." The most pressing issues Marley deals with involve ever-increasing spiritual consciousness. Throughout Kaya, humble thanks is offered to, as well as guidance sought from, Jah -- evidence that the spirituality that permeates the Wailers' music is real and not lip service. Kaya could be considered the oasis before the political and personal eruptions that would inform and influence Marley & the Wailers' next studio releases, Survival and Uprising. The 2001 Definitive Remasters edition of Kaya also includes the non-LP "Smile Jamaica." Although initially issued as the flip side of "Satisfy My Soul," the song was recorded more than a year prior to this album, resulting in a somewhat odd juxtaposition. [The album was also released with a bonus track, "Smile Jamaica."] ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	07/31/2001
Label:	Island / Tuff Gong
UPC:	0731454889926

Tracks

1. Easy Skanking
2. Kaya
3. Is This Love
4. Sun Is Shining
5. Satisfy My Soul
6. She's Gone
7. Misty Morning
8. Crisis
9. Running Away
10. Time Will Tell
11. Smile Jamaica

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Bob Marley & the Wailers   Primary Artist
Bob Marley   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals,Percussion,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar (Acoustic)
The Wailers   Primary Artist
Richie Havens   Primary Artist
Lee "Scratch" Perry   Primary Artist
Aston "Family Man" Barrett   Percussion,Guitar (Bass)
Earl Lindo   Keyboards
Vin Gordon   Saxophone
Judy Mowatt   Vocals (Background)
I-Threes   Vocals (Background)
Rita Marley   Vocals (Background)
Carlton "Carly" Barrett   Drums,Percussion
Tyrone Downie   Keyboards,Percussion,Vocals (Background)
David Madden   Trumpet
Junior Marvin   Guitar,Vocals (Background)
Winston Grennan   Drums
Marcia Griffiths   Vocals (Background)
Aston Barrett   Bass,Percussion,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Electric)
Al Anderson   Guitar
Julian "Junior" Marvin   Guitar
Glen DaCosta   Trumpet
Alvin "Seeco" Patterson   Percussion
Glen DeCosta   Trumpet
Alvin Patterson   Percussion

Technical Credits

Xilonen Oreshnick   Photo Coordination
Kate Simon   Photography
Monique McGuffin Newman   Production Manager
Dan Asher   Inlay Photography
Paul "Groucho" Smykle   Cover Illustration
Gennaro Schiano   Mixing
Ashley Sams   Transfers
Oliviero Fella   Tape Research
Vartan   Art Direction
Dan Abela   Project Assistant
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Stephen Marley   Mixing,Producer,Reissue Producer
Bob Marley & the Wailers   Producer,Performer
Bob Marley   Composer,Producer
Robert Ash   Mixing
Peter Tosh   Composer
Karl Pitterson   Engineer
Alex Sadkin   Engineer
Dave Cooley   Mastering
Cedella Marley   Reissue Producer
Terry Barham   Assistant Engineer
Bill Levenson   Project Assistant
Chris Blackwell   Mixing,Executive Producer
Lee "Scratch" Perry   Composer
Neville Garrick   Art Adviser,Cover Design
Matt Solodky   Reissue Producer,Production Manager
Rebecca Meek   Package Design
Dana G. Smart   Supervisor
Peter Matthews   Tape Research
Jared Hawkes   Transfers