Damian “Jr Gong” Marley

From the first listen it is undeniable that Jr Gong detonates his lyrical gifts with force and precision, but it would be a mistake to think the man's abilities begin and end in the recording booth. A quick scan of Welcome To Jamrock's credits reveal that he co-produced all but three of the tracks with his brother Stephen (the two are the album's executive producers)—so while the youngest Marley suggests his fiery vocal delivery is partly inspired by seeing fierce dancehall icons like Shabba Ranks, Ninjaman and Super Cat at Jamaica's Reggae Sunsplash festival as a youth, his work at the boards show him to be a knowing student of the early '80s digital roots sound of Sly and Robbie, a touch of Stephen's other productions and the magic in his own father's recordings. All told it's the science behind
Welcome To Jamrock's instantly classic sound and an appropriate release on the family's Tuff Gong/Ghetto Youths International label.

"It reflects us," Jr Gong says simply. "And I say us 'cause it's not just me that makes the album. We're taking the baton from the elders who made rebel music—we're new leaders of the old school."

The response to the "Welcome To Jamrock" single heightened expectations for the record you're holding in your hands, and its 14 songs—songs of both love and war—have a depth that surpasses what many might have expected, given the fear of creativity and strong beliefs that permeates the current pop climate and our daily lives in general.

"These are difficult years…and this has been a year of signs and wonders and mystics. We're in a mind opening time now—a lot of people don't have material suffering, but spiritual suffering," he offers. "Welcome To Jamrock is about hope, and there's still more to share. I'm still very close to the beginning."page << 1 2 3 4 >>