{"product_id":"catch-a-fire-1","title":"Catch A Fire","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt is nearly impossible to imagine a time when reggae was not part of the cultural currency. Though \u003cstrong\u003eBob Marley and the Wailers\u003c\/strong\u003e cannot be said to have invented the style, they certainly brought it to the world stage, and this album was the torch that lit the way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatch A Fire\u003c\/em\u003e hit with the force of a revelation when it was released in 1973, and though \u003cstrong\u003eChris Blackwell\u003c\/strong\u003e tailored its sound with a rock audience in mind, the album was still unlike anything that had ever come down the pike. Ironically, even given its relatively full production and electric guitar solos, \u003cem\u003eCatch A Fire\u003c\/em\u003e sounds more organic and rootsy than any of the Wailers' subsequent releases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the percolating rhythms and burbling bass lines of the Barrett brothers, and the sweet, impeccable harmonies of \u003cstrong\u003ePeter Tosh\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eBunny Wailer\u003c\/strong\u003e soothe and move, \u003cem\u003eCatch A Fire\u003c\/em\u003e also introduces the conscious, politically minded themes that would remain at the center of \u003cstrong\u003eMarley\u003c\/strong\u003e's songwriting for the rest of his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eConcrete Jungle\u003c\/em\u003e, one of the towering standout tracks, addresses the trap of inner cities, while \u003cem\u003eSlave Driver\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003e400 Years\u003c\/em\u003e take on racial\/historical issues. Yet \u003cstrong\u003eMarley\u003c\/strong\u003e's penchant for gorgeous love songs is evident here too on his all-time classic \u003cem\u003eStir It Up\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEven after everything that followed, and the cult of idolatry that formed around \u003cstrong\u003eMarley\u003c\/strong\u003e, this remains soulful, message-driven music that goes straight to the blood. Utterly essential.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Island","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50527703957835,"sku":"330545","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Catch_A_Fire_Remastered_2013_38ce9254_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1728056971","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/products\/catch-a-fire-1","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}