CHANT DOWN BABYLON, which pairs Bob Marley's music with performances from a select group of urban pop stars, is strong enough to quell even the most skeptic Marley aficionado. Stephen Marley brought heavyweights from the worlds of hip-hop and R&B for this project, all of whom seem very familiar with Marley's work and bring a level of earnestness to the proceedings that demonstrate their reverence for the reggae great. Krayzie Bone offers a rendition of "Rebel Music" that is one of the album's high points, while Erykah Badu oozes fiery soul over "No More Trouble" as through she were standing right next to Bob in the studio. Other standouts include Aeorsmith's appearance on "Roots Rock Reggae" and Rakim's addition to "Concrete Jungle." The excellent CHANT DOWN BABYLON functions like a rare glimpse of what Marley's music may have been like if he were recording today. Includes liner notes by Harry Allen. Erykah Badu,Krayzie Bone,Guru, Steven Tyler&Joe Perry,Busta Engineers include: Bomzai Caruso, Error Brown, Comissioner Gordon. Audio Mixer: Comissioner Gordon. Recording information: Quad Recording Studio, NY. Photographers: Lynn Goldsmith; Adrian Boot. Personnel includes: Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, Guru, Rakim, Krayzie Bone, Busta Rhymes, Flipmode Squad, Lauryn Hill, Lost Boyz, Mr. Cheeks, MC Lyte, The Marley Brothers, The Ghetto Youths Crew, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Chuck D, The Roots, Black Thought. Producers: A giant piety party with reggae's most hallowed saint as the guest of honor.It introduces a young audience to a deserving icon and makes a pointed political connection between present-day America and Marley's Jamaican slums.

BInIAm Yibaleh

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