album of the week

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Exodus
[Island Records: 1977]


Seeing that summer is upon us here in Australia, Album of The Week has been sorting through our favourite summer records and songs in preparation for sunshine, ocean, sweat and impromptu backyard barbecues. Bob Marley needs no introduction – discovering his music is almost like a rite of passage for each generation, and he’s an artist who has an entire culture connected to him. I should know – I used to drive a VW Kombi and got many a presumptuous look if I ever happened to be playing a bit of Bob. I’m not a Rastafarian or a pot smoker (I swear Mum), but there’s something about his music that takes you to a very certain, very relaxing place – a place where it wouldn’t be inappropriate to have a lazy snooze while being fanned with palm leaves by hot topless Jamaicans.
Exodus was the defining album in the career of Bob Marley & The Wailers that not only brought the group huge popularity outside of Jamaica, but it also played a seminal role in introducing the rest of the world to reggae music.
We could go on and on about Bob Marley’s extensive back catalogue, but if your only experience with his music is occasionally hearing Legend at parties, the time is now to discover Exodus and play it on those warm afternoons. And remember: if you’re in the sun don’t forget to wear a hat.



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