Episode five of Bob Marley’s Legacy documentary series continues with ‘Punky Reggae Party,’ an insightful look back at Bob’s time in and impact on London and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Dating back from the mid-’70s to this present day, ‘Punky Reggae Party’ explores how Marley’s music and ethos captured the Zeitgeist, detailing his signing to Chris Blackwell’s Island Records, and the welcomed arrival of his sound and the impact he had in the United Kingdom, especially the London-born children of the Windrush generation.
The series feature interviews with music aficionado Don Letts, MP and former shadow home secretary, Diane Abbott, award-winning British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE, and Chris Blackwell as well as journalist and broadcaster, Chris Salewicz, British-Nigerian women’s rights activist Seyi Akiwowo, the daughter of a Rasta, Hak BakerMarika, and photographer Adrian Boot. The compelling new 22-minute short touches on a post-war, multicultural Britain, the rise of punk, and how Marley, the ultimate rebel, fitted into all of this and helped unite a country through his music.
The release of one of the world’s best-selling and most loved albums of our time, “Legend,” is available on limited-edition picture disc. Featuring many of Marley’s most memorable songs, from “One Love/People Get Ready” to “Get Up, Stand Up,” “Is This Love” to “Jammin’,” “Could You Be Loved” to “Three Little Birds.” The album also includes eight more classics, in celebration of #BobMarley75, and is available in a limited-edition picture disc presenting the iconic cover shot backed with a previously unseen image of Marley.
In other news, Ziggy Marley released a brand new single, “Play With Sky (feat. Ben Harper)” today. The track, written by Ziggy, comes from his new upcoming family album, More Family Time. This release is a follow up to his 2009’s Grammy and Emmy winning album, “Family Time,” and is due out on September 18.
Last week, members of the Marley family, in conjunction with Tuff Gong International and Amplified Music, released a reimagination of the late Bob Marley’s iconic anthem, “One Love,” featuring musicians from all corners of the globe, artists from conflict zones and children living in vulnerable communities to support UNICEF’s work to reimagine a fairer, more just world for children whose lives have been upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. All net proceeds from the sale of streams of the recording will directly support Reimagine, UNICEF’s global campaign to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming a lasting crisis for children and to ensure the post-pandemic world is more fair and equal for every child. Visit unicef.org/ONE-LOVE for further information and to donate. Every US$1 donated to ONE LOVE by the public will be matched by jewelry brand Pandora up to the value of US$1 million dollars.
In addition, the Marley Family announced the Wrangler x Bob Marley collection that was created through a collaborative process with Wrangler in celebration of what would be the icon’s 75th birthday in 2020. The 11-piece collection launched Monday, and features heavy reggae influences and revivals of Marley’s favorite Wrangler styles, including one men’s and one women’s denim jacket, four men’s and three women’s tees, and two unisex lasered shirts. Wrangler has worked with the Marley family over the past year to design a unique collection that commemorates a music icon who has inspired generations of people through his commitment to fierce idealism and powerful songwriting. In celebration of the collaborative collection, Wrangler will donate $25,000 to The Bob Marley Foundation. The Bob Marley Foundation, is a Jamaican nonprofit organization focusing on Education, Music and Culture, Environmental Protection, and the health and well being of the Rastafarian community.
On July 31, the acclaimed ‘Marley’ documentary will be screened in virtual and select traditional cinemas worldwide. Directed by Oscar-winning Kevin Macdonald, the documentary features a combination of legendary music concerts, rare footage, and interviews with Bob Marley, Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Ziggy Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Chris Blackwell and many more. Blue Fox Entertainment will release the film theatrically. Watch the official trailer to ‘Marley’ here.
