Monday, May 10, 2010

Jango Song Of The Day-Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers

Artist:Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers
Song:Tomorrow People
Album:The Best Of Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers (1988-1993)





David "Ziggy" Marley is the oldest son of Reggae icon Bob Marley and Ziggy and his family group The Melody Makers had a good run in the late 80s and the 90s. Tomorrow People was their breakthrough single. Ziggy Marley was born Oct. 17, 1968 in Kingston, Jamaica. Ziggy, sisters Cedella and Sharon and brother Stephen made their recording debut with their father in 1979. They called themselves The Melody Makers and recorded a couple of pop oriented albums for EMI. But EMI wanted to sell Ziggy as a solo artist and Ziggy wanted to continue the band. So Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers moved to Virgin Records. Concious Party was their first CD for Virgin in 1988. It was produced by Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz of Talking Heads and Jerry Harrison played organ. Tomorrow People was the first single and it reached #39 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single Tumblin' Down topped the R & B singles chart and Concious Party reached #23 on the Billboard Hot 200. And it won the 1989 Best Reggae Album Grammy. There's no question that Marley's music was helped by his name and a very radio friendly sound. But his music holds up very well. The 1989 CD One Bright Day and the 1991 CD Jahmeyka also sold well but the 1993 CD Joy and Blues did not do as well. They left Virgin for Elektra for the 1995 CD Free Like We Want 2 B and the 1997 CD Fallen Is Babylon. Though they showcased the other members and were critically acclaimed, they didn't sell as well and Ziggy went solo in 2000 and he continues to do that today on his own Tuff Gong label. This 1997 comp covers the Virgin recordings. Stephen Marley and other Marley family members have had significant recording careers. And the legacy of Bob Marley continues. Here's the video for Tomorrow People by Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

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