Bob Marley's "Legend (Rarities Edition)" Is Released

The rarities edition of Bob Marley and the Wailers' greatest hits album "Legend" was released this week. Bob Marley, in his short lifetime was a magnetic performer and a prolific songwriter- the undisputed King of Reggae music. "Legend (rarities edition)" originally issued as the second disc of the 2 CD deluxe version of the album, is now available on its own.

Released in 1984, 3 years after Marley's death at age 36, "Legend" is reggae's best- selling album ever, selling 20 million copies worldwide.

In his lifetime, Bob Marley created a rich resonant body of work that reaches out beyond the confines of simply reggae music. Marley was an impassioned topical songwriter and a spiritually compelling front man who helped spread Jamaican music to a worldwide audience.

The original Wailers included Marley, Peter Tosh and "Bunny Wailer" Livingston, who played together in the 1960s and early 1970s. Marley's stardom continued to grow following Tosh and Livingston's departure from the band after the 1973 album "Burnin'".

"Legend (Rarities Edition)" is a whole set of rare mixes, remixes and more.

The opener "One Love/ People Get Ready" is present in its extended version format. "One Love" is a gorgeous cry for the unity of human kind: "Let's get together and feel all right" Marley sings. The extended version is fascinating as well as different from the well known recording, with more focus on the instrumentals and their easy groove.

If you already own "Legend", the differences here are not so great that you need to run out and buy this rarities edition. For the diehard Marley fan however, these alternative remixed takes may be compelling.

"Waiting in Vain" is a touching love song. "Three Little Birds" offers soothing pearls of wisdom: "Don't worry about a thing, because every little thing is going to be all right". The song continues into a fine dub version that you don't get on the original "Legend" album.

The rarities release includes a lovely rendition of "No Woman No Cry" and a novel moving version of "Lively Up Yourself".

Both Marley's songwriting and performances carried awesome power. His music was and remains a truly global phenomenon.