Album Review: Bad Marley And The Wasters – One More Drop

Out Now, this compilation follows on from two previous offerings although the concept moved on from the original Bad Dylan album, a set of songs with one band fronted by guest singer, then to Nightly Dread which confronted the idea of Bob Marley songs being given a complete overhaul along with the standard too.  This time the Bob Marley theme has been continued (presumably because of the huge success and love for Marley), as before the songs have been taken, skewed out of all proportion in a good way in some cases, but also just covered with love and reverence in others.

With 100% of the profits going to Dementia UK, this compilation endeavours to bring light to the lives of the many who are affected by this most humbling of conditions.

The title track ‘One Drop’ was handed out to Jordan Skiv, giving this song a reggae/punk makeover, the infectious melody of this track standing out more than ever within this version, being swiftly followed by Riviera Kid’s psych version of ‘Concrete Jungle’ your left in no doubt that this is not just a weak same as covers album.

In fact you would be hard pushed to find any of the 20 tracks that’s sit in what might be considered the safe zone of a standard cover, with maybe the exception of Bill Lloyd’s  ‘No More Trouble’, although Baldhead And The Dreads do start off with a familiar ‘Stir It Up’ but then slaps you in the face at the end with a brilliant Punk! Finish.

The second take on ‘Stir It Up’ comes from Stoj Snack (Smouldering Ben Hannah Remix), not a guitar in sight or sound, but mesmerising all the same, in fact there are some pretty of the wall remixes going on along the way through the album, all of which have there place and make this worth every minute of your time to listen to, ‘Punky Reggae Party’ Wet Camper, C&D ‘Real Situation’ being a couple, but the stand out has to be ‘Easy Skanking’ by Brick Shithouse, a mix that uses old skool scratching, a killer bass line and has you hitting repeat over and over.

As you make your way through all the variations of style and intensity of sound that such an eclectic mix of artists bring to this collection, what is not lost on you, is the strength and depth of the songs that take everything that’s thrown at them and still come out the other end standing proud.

Acoustic versions abound, but not one can be compared to the other, take Eli Griffiths ‘Chances Are’, vocally stunning, then there’s Frosty’s ‘I Know A Place’ giving the lyrics a life that they deserve, or Trashy P & Frenze ‘One Cup/Judge Not’ pure punk attitude. 

If your’e a purist Marley fan, not all these offering will hold sway, but take them on their own merit and enjoy just how his songs can be interpreted in so many ways, but still hold their integrity and message.

 Well worth every penny of your money, a collection that will always be there on my playlist!!!!

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