Damian Marley

Marley won a Best Reggae Album Grammy in 2002, but he may be after even bigger fish with this wacky, charismatic release that ping-pongs from hard-edged politics (the title track) to lascivious love jams (the sublime "All Night") and convincingly conscious lyricism ("Road to Zion"). A stylish crossover from reggae royalty.

"Welcome to Jamrock," the title track from reggae royalty Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley's
excellent third album, was the surprise jam of the summer. Produced by Marley's brother
Stephen, it's a perfectly hazy blend of king-size bass lines, echo-chamber drums, air-horn
blasts and a dope Ini Kamoze sample ("Out in the streets, they call it murder") -- over which
Marley decries ghetto violence, education deprivation and ignorant tourists. It's... More >