Personnel: Bob Marley (vocals, acoustic guitar); Peter McIntosh (vocals, guitar, piano, organ); Bunny Livingston (vocals, congas, bongos); Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley (vocals, background vocals); Wayne Perkins (guitar); John "Rabbit" Bundrick (Clavinet, organ, synthesizer); Tyrone Downie (organ); Aston Barrett (bass guitar); Carlton "Carlie" Barrett (drums); Winston Wright, Chris Karan (percussion).

Audio Mixers: Suha Gur; Errol Brown .

Liner Note Author: Richard Gene Williams .

Recording information: Dynamic Sound Studios (09/1972); Harry J. Studios (09/1972); Randy's Studios, Kingston, JP (09/1972).

Photographers: Adrian Boot; Arthur Gorson.

It is nearly impossible to imagine a time when reggae was not part of the cultural currency. Though Bob Marley and the Wailers cannot be said to have invented the style, they certainly brought it to the world stage, and this album was the torch that lit the way. CATCH A FIRE hit with the force of a revelation when it was released in 1973, and though Chris Blackwell tailored its sound with a rock audience in mind, the album was still unlike anything that had ever come down the pike. Ironically, even given its relatively full production and electric guitar solos, CATCH A FIRE sounds more organic and rootsy than any of the Wailers' subsequent releases.

While the percolating rhythms and burbling bass lines of the Barrett brothers, and the sweet, impeccable harmonies of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer soothe and move, CATCH A FIRE also introduces the conscious, politically minded themes that would remain at the center of Marley's songwriting for the rest of his career. "Concrete Jungle," one of the towering standout tracks, addresses the trap of inner cities, while "Slave Driver" and "400 Years" take on racial/historical issues. Yet Marley's penchant for gorgeous love songs is evident here too on his all-time classic "Stir It Up." Even after everything that followed, and the cult of idolatry that formed around Marley, this remains soulful, message-driven music that goes straight to the blood. Utterly essential.

This two-disc set heralds the beginning of the overdue reassessment of Bob Marley & the Wailers' Island Records/Tuff Gong CD catalog -- and where better to begin than the beginning? Catch a Fire (Deluxe Edition) actually goes one better -- issuing the original as well as a non-overdubbed (aka "Jamaican") version of the album. Disc one contains the latter version -- which has been previously unissued until this point. It also tends to overshadow the brilliant sonic restoration done on the standard issue -- featured on disc two. The early "Jamaican version" of Catch a Fire consists of the album as it was first delivered to Chris Blackwell -- talent scout/owner/operator of Island Records. While pleased with the results, Blackwell convinced Marley & the Wailers that sonic enhancements might be in order. The "Jamaican version" was then remixed with added lead guitar work by Nashville cat Wayne Perkins, as well as various keyboards textures from John "Rabbit" Bundrick. The ironic thing is that the changes and augmentations made by the session pros ultimately suppressed the organic and otherwise uncomplicated nature of Marley & the Wailers music. This very quality became the thing that propelled Marley -- and ultimately his message -- globally as well as spiritually, allowing him to join the ranks of John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Marvin Gaye. Also included on the "Jamaican version" are two additional tracks: "High Tide or Low Tide" and "All Day All Night" recorded for inclusion on the original Catch a Fire. While they have been released in various forms over the years, they have been returned to their place in the Catch a Fire running order. The second disc contains Catch a Fire the way it was originally issued. While not as historically significant, it has never sounded better. ~ Lindsay Planer

Rolling Stone (4/12/73, p.62) - "...lilting tunes of hypnotic character... mature, fully realized sound with a beautiful lyric sensibility...fresh, vibrant music...remarkable polish..."

Q - 5 Stars - Indispensable

Uncut (11/01, p.130) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...The Wailers' masterpiece..."

The Wire (5/01, p.73) - "...Marks the first-time release of the original Jamaican recordings....with a remix from the master tapes by Errol Brown..."

Down Beat (1/02, p.46) - Included in Downbeat's "Best CDs of 2001".