How Good Really Were Ziggy Marley & Melody Makers?

[@midnight-raver]

They are extraordinary talents. Conscious Party and One Bright Day still stand as phenomenal roots reggae albums that lived up to every expectation. Even their experimental sound on JahMekya, which bridged the gap between roots, ragga, and dancehall was a landmark effort. They are truly legendary and have given me such great listening pleasure and happiness in my life. I wish them nothing but the best!

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yep Conscious Party and One Bright Day are kick-ass. Such bright, happy music👍

[@sistasoler77]

Yeah, I have all three of those albums you mentioned. Regardless of what others think of them as "polished" their message has always been conscious. Respect!

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Yes Sir. Conscious Party and One Bright Day were high beyond High (My 2 favorite albums from their catalogue) Fully well deserved Grammy wins in 89 and 90 ..I remember playing the One Bright Day cassette till it wore off..🤣🤣🤣 Jah Know...

[@soujaar8346]

Yes, JahMekya is a very good experimental reggae. Its not a pure classic roots reggae ist a reggae that live in the modern time. Drastic is a good exemple. In this song ZM & MM mix their voice and rhythm with WAR of the father Marley. In some case having a father like Bob Marley make peolple not apprecied how brillant was Ziggy and his brother and sister. I am sure that if their not name MArley. ZM &MM were in all time best reggae band.

[@Mrsplanetmaster9]

@@sistasoler77 MAX‼🌞🌿

[@positive___soul]

They were excellent! 💚💛❤️ I remember how excited I was to see the Melody Makers in concert. The crowd was disappointing, but not the Melody Makers.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes my queen. They were an excellent group ❤️💛💚

[@margueritehightower8650]

My favorite album is Conscious Party. I love every song on the album. I especially love the video-Tomorrow People. I love the message and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

[@clarascott5264]

I loved the Melody Makers l thought they were a great breakout Reggae group carrying out their own songs but still representing their fathers songs as well Tomorrow People reminds me of the political consciousness that their father instilled in them along with being my favorite song as well God Bless these talented children and all their families may Jah bless them all🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️

[@faithxaas6730]

Bob and Rita basically jump started their career, with Bob writing “Children Playing in the Streets”. Also, I feel sorry for Ziggy because he was the first sibling to become famous/in the limelight he got unfair criticism by “copying” his father. I remember the “Tomorrow People” music video used to play all the time on MTV. ZM&MM don’t get the props they deserve they were huge in Jamaica in the 80s/90s. The group did help jumpstart/groom Stephen into the great producer/artist he would end up becoming..

[@nasimaali9646]

LOOK WHOSE DANCING 💃🏽 Melody Makers were the soundtrack to my childhood in JAMAICA!

[@Mrsplanetmaster9]

BIG UP‼🌞🌿🌿🙋🏼‍♀

[@djtricks1]

I'm sure Bob & Rita are ..were & still so proud of what their children have achieved regardless of the critics! Bless & thanks RAS !

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Big up yourself mi brethren ✌️

[@nasimaali9646]

Both of their parents were singers and famous that’s alot of pressure for young kids starting out. But Melody Makers laid the blueprint for the 2nd Gen Marley’s

[@KennethBright-y3t]

i love reggae music just listen to the what they are talking about ONE LOVE PEACE AND HAPPENS JAH LIVES

[@electricreds6415]

Well said I love hanging fire also I personal bought both albums but would give it to Ziggy and the melody maker I was proud of them coming out at that time ,they where my age group and made me feel I can do it to yeah man brother well said

[@ggilestate]

I loved their sound and image when they at their peak. Can an average person or group write hits songs and win Grammies? They keep the Marley name alive today by staying current with with raw talent.

[@duppyhunter1651]

Brilliant video, I remember seeing Ziggy and the Melody Makers doing Concious Party lp on tv, It was a amazing. Jah bless ❤💛💚

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Thanks mi lion ✌️

[@SabiArtStory777]

That's a matter of taste. Of course, they've been extremely hyped for the Marley name, and that's given them a head start in popularity... But on the other hand, it also compared them a lot, the expectations were very high ...it's not easy to live up to that & find your own style, your own way. I think they did good 👍🏻 & really great talents among them. 🌻👉🏾❤️👈🏻One Love ✌🏻😎

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Spot on 💯

[@cleopatra1633]

Well said.

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Fully agreed

[@edgardocerna8918]

Great reggae music from ziggy marley and the melody makers

[@Mrsplanetmaster9]

They were the beginning of the MARLEY MACHINE come true...Marvelous they will alwaze be..THX R.A.S‼🌞🌿👏🏼

[@TheRealFamespear]

Are you kidding? Conscious Party, One Bright Day, Jahmekya, Joy and Blues, Free Like We Want 2 B are some of the best reggae albums ever! Featuring classics like: Dreams of Home, One Bright Day, Good Time, Joy & Blues, Rebel in Disguise, Tipsy Dazy

[@mystyjakanyango4079]

Good, brother! On point. Also love it pure roots.... voice and rhythm....without infusions.

[@stillcalled9908]

My favorite reggae group since I was a child!!

[@therootoflife5290]

One Bright Day...The People Got Together....

[@davidclair8767]

Very good review ! Can not agree more ! Irie

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings ✌️

[@tyronecarrington6856]

THEY DID NOT FILL THEIR FATHERS SHOES.... HE INSPIRED THEM TO MAKE THEIR OWN...... FIIIIIIIIEEEEERRRRRRRR 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@erroldaley1061]

They or the best reggae group in the world

[@wethepplwhorblackerthanblu6442]

In those days both Ziggy Marley and Andrew Tosh when they both were doing their thing most people already knew and assume that both of them could not really do or even continue on in what their fathers were doing or try to accomplish It's ONE of the reasons why Peter ( Tosh ) had came out with a song like- I am that I am and others AND Most people already knew that both Andrew Tosh and Ziggy Marley were mainly coming from Suburban areas so their struggle was a lot different then many of the people in Trenchtown Even Bob was not really from Trenchtown

[@Sanmijil]

Exactly Bob was all about true authenicy and genuine true as oneself and and no fake.

[@Infinitebrandon]

Seen 👍

[@hennyverheij5969]

This group is pure reggae! 🖤💚💛❤🙏

[@Mrsplanetmaster9]

Pure Reggae,love , devotion , faith & "GOOD" over EVIL prevails‼🌞🌿🌿🙋🏼‍♀

[@ashebermulugata9]

Great Melody Makers have not disappointed. I fulljoyed everything they have done.

[@alntr2872]

They were the absolute best live, no other group were putting on live shows like they did, not even Third World or Steel Pulse. I like the Jahmekya album the best next to Free Like we want 2 be, but all of their albums are very good. They actually saved reggae in the 80's and 90's. They were excellent, but I do think Ziggy was much better when he was with the group. I think he fell off with his writing when they broke up, and his lives are good (from what I've seen on the internet), but with the MM he was excellent. His live in South Africa I think is his best live performance. Stephen really blossomed as a writer and producer after the break. I always wonder why they broke up. Do you know why or does anyone know why they broke up? Had they stayed together all these years it would have been legendary. Thanks for this video, it's well done, with a great topic, thank you. ZM&MM reunion tour is needed.

[@jahirationzofficial4536]

One of the best Reggae Groups with their own brew of modern sound & strictly original music ❤

[@WadjilaCherokeeX]

I was sitting at home in Western Australia when tomorrow people came on the radio. Who is that I thought sure sounds like Bob. That was the first time I heard them and I thought good work as it is hard to walk in your father's shoes.

[@anthonymackey222]

They were kids, who aren't usually conscious minded at their ages, so the songs reflected their youth just like Musical Youth and others.

[@Leira6267]

Rita & Bob done well raising them. I am sure Bob is proud of who they have become. I am sure their dad's name helps their brand.

[@mariawood2467]

They were good in their own right, just as the next and 3rd generation are. Conscious reggae. May it live on forever ❤️💛💚🖤

[@TheAnnaFisher]

They are the most inspiring family. I was always a huge fan! "Play the Game Right" is my #1 of theirs but always loved the next generation of Marleys! 11:19 T 11:19 H 11:19 MarleysApprecialove, Jah bless 🙏👏🔥🎶👑👑👑👑❤️💛🖤💚🇯🇲🌎

[@LZ-dm8co]

Say what you want, but this is genuinely one of the most important bands in reggae music. Believe it or not, people in Jamaica used to resent Bob Marley in his lifetime because he was a continuous winner. So it’s no surprise that jamaican people didn’t show his children the same love that they have showed him. Obviously in the aftermath of their disbandment, certain politics have occured, that have caused people to question their credibility. But the fact remains that this group helped keep conscious reggae relevant when slackness took over the carribbean… Thank you for another informative upload my brother! ♥️

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mon thanks 👍

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

I acknowledge your comments on "resentment" and "continuous success"... I'd read many articles in the past regarding the attitudes of Bob's numerous contemporaries as to his phenomenal rise and success. Many were clearly envious but we hardly have this mentioned in reggae literature today ...

[@LZ-dm8co]

@@lawrencenjawe9875 it’s true my brother. Everyone wants this story of reggae music to be romantic and sweet to the ears, but the reality is, Jamaica was and is still a very poor nation and everyone in that cesspit of talent wanted to make it out. As rasta, all the reggae artists wanted to be on Bob’s level of self sufficiency. And they couldn’t be, because he was the champion. Peter tosh was quoted by Wayne Jobson after Bob’s death to have said, “At least now there’s room for the rest of us to pass through…” Really makes you think…

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

@@LZ-dm8co Agreed...Tosh in one interview " You could never be better than Bob......"

[@surunitemiakanni-oye4346]

Not really aware of their achievements or duration. Thanks for the research and heads up reminding of a slice of reggae history.

[@israelking975]

EXCELLENT Presentation Bro. That was GREAT.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

@@israelking975 Blessings mon✌️I'm glad you liked it

[@Originaldread9]

One of favorite groups!!!! Every album was 🔥!

[@nevilleneville8286]

They r great children and r also empowered by the almighty to carry on with their father message through reggae music.

[@israelking975]

Ziggy Marley and The Melody Maker? One of the GREATEST Reggae Band ever. Period. FANTASTIC BAND.

[@goodfellow.5383]

i like my reggae 100% pure! well said man.

[@777noirkat]

Ziggy is performing right now at the Peach Festival- we love all the Marleys

[@HigherThanYou]

Saw them in oct 1993. In Brockport NY...... They were headlining a tour of US colleges. They were great.

[@jorgemachado9413]

Escuché durante años el álbum en cassette Conscious Party ...una y otra vez daba vueltas y vueltas,un álbum increíble.gracias siempre acá Sungrila ❤️💛💚 🇺🇾

[@MrAlistar99]

They were fantastic live

[@jesmiles1159]

Well narrated..very informative

[@TheSlattJesus]

The fusion is what made them so great! If you ask what was the 80’s and 90’s like? Just play the Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers.

[@lyte4240]

I always love Ziggy ❤️ he's his own Man even Bob Knew that. The group was great 👍 Open doors for their other siblings.

[@steventolliver9371]

They can say what they want to say, The Marley Kids are phenomenal in their own rights! Screw the haters!

[@underflo43tky]

I saw them a few times but I saw them once in Colorado maybe 1990? 1991? In some small town. I cant remember what town now. 😢 but it was a really small town and Stephen was super young and shy. That show was really good. Something really clicked. I saw them many times but that show was something special.

[@reedykat30]

There should never be a doubt about their talent. They came from music royalty being children of Bob and Rita. I love how they received their parents reggae roots however moved to their own sound.

[@johntmusic543]

they were awesome they were big here in new zealand

[@Stefan_Johansson]

I saw them Live in Kingston 1985 🎉 great group❤

[@DevonBrown-i6v]

The best ever from ja n the world!

[@TheMightyKingzuru]

The Melody Makers were so good that they even beat The Wailers to a Grammy award in 1988 when they were still kids.

[@electricreds6415]

They great .Ziggy Marley and the melody maker are number 1 hold on just like he's DAD check out they music the massage who those the sing for who are the people causing the problems and what the solution for the world they are great thank you . Fire burn all haters and baldheads haters love to the Marley's

[@fredericocr1]

Tommorow people is an anthem to me

[@GreenLionEntertainment]

I think the Melody Makers has one of the BEST backing vocal sections in Reggae history. My personal #1.

[@JohnDoe-lt3hi]

Ziggy has his fathers singing and performing ability. However, Bob was a generational song writer and composer. He had a gift that would be hard for even his offspring to replicate.

[@MountainBetty8895]

I saw them in early 1990's at the Vail Amphitheater they rocked. Excellent show!❤

[@robertmathurin739]

One Love,, Rastafari 🇱🇨👊🏼🇯🇲👍🏼♥️🔥🔥🔥💯💯💯☝🏻

[@williamcecil7224]

Great exposé

[@LoganCharlesII]

We A Guh Some Weh

[@freezonetrumpet]

Me say it one time. Dreams Of Home!

[@freezonetrumpet]

Aiding & abetting Rastafari!

[@notintohandles]

A father's children walk his path, but walk further when he has finished his journey. Hopefully it was a good journey on the right path. When his children come to a fork in the road, they will choose well.

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Yes I ✌️

[@CourtneyMinors]

It’s really difficult for children of famous names to rise up without being seen as riding on the coattails of their parents.

[@g.nathaniel4262]

ZMMM were really good. I still play Conscious Party in my car to this day. Black My Story, One Bright Day, Brothers and Sisters, Fallen is Babylon. If you don't know their music check it out. They are legit. Just look at the work that Ziggy and Stephen have done since. Its remarkable. Remember that Stephen is the one who produced Junior Gong as well. Cedella has switched focus a bit and is basically spearheading the Jamaica Women's football program. These guys are the real deal and fulfill Bob Marley's vison of service to the world. They don't live for themselves alone. They live for people. They deserve some flowers. Also RAS (Reggae Appreciation Society) you guys deserve some flowers as well. Thank you for what you are doing for Reggae music and Jamaican culture.

[@eugenebruno1481]

Free like we want 2 be Album has some of the best reggae songs ever in my opinion.

[@tyronecorbin9982]

Great question took to long to be asked .because they still average living off they father name.

[@regina7795]

Love them

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

@ Reggae Appreciation I must applaud you for this brilliant presentation...Ziggy Marley & Melody Makers are in my opinion the best post-Bob Marley ensemble of the Marley Family... There's practically no point in this sketch that i disagree on. I'm particularly struck by your 1988 Grammy assessment...Jimmy Cliff's Hanging Fire was an album i definitely wouldn't want to listen to twice despite he being one of my early heroes, while Toots' in Memphis solo album (a compilation of r&b classics from 60s heroes Otis Redding, Sam Cooke....etc.) was a massive disappointment for me. Not the great comeback album i had expected since his last release: 1981's phenomenal Knockout album (The backing band weren't the Maytals by the way but rather a renowned R&B Memphis band whose name eludes me at the moment)....Keep up the MAGNIFICENT work, bro....for veteran heads like ours and for the new generation.👍👍👍

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

Blessings mi lion ✌️ Thanks for the steady support, comments, critiques etc Jah bless ❤️💛💚

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

​@@ReggaeAppreciationSocietyYou're welcome, HERO 😁😁

[@TDC5]

obvi just my opinion, but my main issue through the years with marley's kids who have decide to go into music is the familiarity with the vocals. i get it that much of that can be inherited and such but in many cases they seem to be straight up making a concerted effort to sound and even move like their father. it's off-putting and to me comes across as inauthentic. other than that many have carved their own unique path and imo have earned their spots and accolades.

[@gemini787]

It would be difficult for Ziggy & Stephen not to sound like their father as that is just natural genes that they have no control over. As for them moving like their father, considering the type of music they sang, I wouldn't expect them to moonwalk like Michael Jackson. Lol. They had their own vibe. But whether intentionally or not, people try to compare them with their father too much, when in reality they were not trying to be like him.

[@jimsliverootsculturemusic]

Al Anderson has stated that the band didn't think Ziggy was ready to take over when Bob passed away. But, in retrospect, he acknowledges that Ziggy was, in fact, ready. What would it have been like had Ziggy joined the Wailers in the early 80's?

[@cortezpaschal1913]

Those critics can't say anything about them incorporating a bit of pop and rock into their music. Bob sprinkled a little into his as well! Listen to Concrete Jungle

[@AmanuelTesfaye-e7z]

Shout out to Dallol band and I think the Melody Makers best period coincided with dallol as their back up band. RIP Dereje Mekonnen.

[@ozziecockings780]

...yeah dallol was de best... ...(no mention of erica newell)?...

[@leonramsay21]

From they were children playing playing in the streets to tomorrow people. Reggae royalty.

[@tatu8663]

Agree 100%. They make tourist music.

[@JLPerryTV]

The only thing I didn’t like that centered it around Ziggy instead of the entire family. But when it comes to music family, they are THEE music family

[@chaimshamza5850]

They made their contribution to Reggae being outer national. Kids outside of Reggae circles started here and then investigated the cannon. You don't have to like the vibe but that should not be forgotten. And you have to look at the other side of the argument. Yes, we want suffarahs to break through but bob marley was a suffarah, like the Cosby show, should we not support a succesfull Black family? A real one? It's good for people to see it's possible for succes

[@heerollie7797]

What a plot!

[@MrMystri]

As today’s artists they’re good but back then, they were nowhere near ready but had access to studio cos of their parents. Anyone unknown sounding like that wouldn’t even be given the light of day.

[@cleopatra1633]

Julian Marley is the most original and creative one. Sorry, mistake, I meant Damian but wrote Julian.🙃🙃

[@SabiArtStory777]

He is my favorite too 👑! ✌🏻😊

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

@cleopatra1633..Although I've had very little wind of Julian Marley over the years, I'll check up on the artist's Bio, music and all for curiousty 's sake, thanks to your comment.

[@faithxaas6730]

Nope. He copies Bob the most it’s cringe to watch.

[@donutube83]

@@faithxaas6730 Julian and Stephen sound the closest to Bob, I think that would factor into Julian taking especially after his dad… I would even go so far as to say that a silhouette of Julian could be mistaken for that of Bob’s!! Him replicating his old man might be hard to watch, but with genes as strong as Bob’s, I have a hard time thinking he can help it!!!

[@MrAlistar99]

​@@faithxaas6730i totally agree. It's like watching a Bob Marley tribute act.

[@HOJEORIGINAL]

I not wish go away for miles but I just want one reggae to be got away, thee material is all I can get, I have music to me, I get music in my name because the celular and ain't television some,

[@rasjahson6261]

people wi hate suh let dem hate. most nuh kno quality muzik anyway wid all di junk yuh hear pan di radio dem yah days. all di marley brothas inna miami next week. be dere or be square. one love. respeck. 🎹🎻🎺👍🏿😉🥁🎷🎼🌴🪘🎤🪕🎶🇪🇹✌️🙏

[@CatriniaSmith-li7de]

I think the critiques have to know in away their introducing a neither generation to reagge music. I grew up with Ziggy Marley and I enjoyed his music.

[@fenderbender11226]

😮

[@JLPerryTV]

Sharon was also percussion at times

[@Infinitebrandon]

Ziggy best concert i seen. None of his KZbin videos are as good as when he jams so happy when i mon around the stage. 😊 Still, bloodklaat on all dem rich boy marleys. De a go tired fo see uncle Bunny's face, want to help "snoop lion" (omg rofl) win the race. O man its just a big disgrace. De draw bad card; but thanks Again RAS. Ill bust up Ziggy on beach in Hawaii if don't hear him denounce snoop n jayz n nas. Bumbaklaat! Fiyah pon ya house! N Steve Marley got no dam talent at all. Period

[@underflo43tky]

also joy and blues was a record by them

[@leonramsay21]

Purist reggae is for roots reggae fans, to reach international, other genres have to be a part of the mix.

[@Chrisk_K278]

Play The Game Right is the only album that sounds like Bob Marley singing by David, 💯%, maybe because of the Wailers backing him up as well, nearly all those songs on that album sounds like Bobs style.

[@eugenebruno1481]

You present your music according to your fan base.

[@anthonymackey222]

I'm glad that they broke away from their father's style of music. They would not have been successful had they did, they would've been called imitators, so the times were on their side.

[@gemini787]

I agree 100%

[@henryracingcompany6909]

No one seems to call me…….

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

😄

[@nello8630]

That song is still my favorite. "Children playing in the streets." Ziggy, Steven and Junior gong are legitimate musicians, not so sure about the rest.

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

The Spanish guitar riffs are so sumptuous ♥️

[@littlemanscorner1718]

They were a good band,that was also very good live. I put the Melody Makers with other artist like Third World, Jimmy Cliff and Toots. Very talented but not as edgy

[@Hiprich]

How can any Reggae purist take this band seriously?

[@michelrood2966]

I think they're nothing like their father, I feel like they're profiting of their last name. Not a fan of the Marley casino

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

😄

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

Right.. Different from their illustrious father... All the better for it, though one can't fail to notice the similar greyish emotional voice Ziggy had with his Father's,..

[@alntr2872]

He is their father, they should profit from his name. C'mon.

[@gemini787]

That's the whole point. They did not want to be like their father.

[@lawrencenjawe9875]

@@gemini787 👍

[@whitehallavenue1752]

The infusion of non reggae sound is what mek mi nuh really rate dem as ah group.

[@tatu8663]

Their marketing is top notch. The music kinda weak, like the all inclusive resort soundtrack. Can't touch Spear or Culture and such.

[@WhattEvery]

Too poppy for my taste. Very talented musicians though, but was not a roots-rock-reggae&dub band!

[@basilmartin7271]

Overrated at best. Two much beautiful music emanating from Jamaica doing dat period to even consider dem. Omit all the dancehall during dat time and dey couldn't hold a candle to reggae outta Jamaica. Thank gawd shabba come and mash up dat

[@barrywilliams3147]

The only Marley kid with real talent is damien. Melody makers went commercial and lived of bobs reputation. They have a good head for business

[@faithxaas6730]

Yet it’s Stephen behind his most successful albums by producing them. Let’s not. All are successful in their own right.

[@alntr2872]

You must be kidding. Stephen produced his Damian's most successful albums and have produced the most amazing Posthumous Bob Marley Album, I think it's called Chant Down Babylon, there is none better. I think Ziggy was much better when he was the Melody Makers, but he's got great talent, there is no doubt, but I do think he dropped off when the group disbanded.

[@gemini787]

I have to disagree. The Melody Makers had their own style & they received a lot of criticism for that. It worked for them though as they sold millions of albums & their tours were very successful for the most part. They were never trying to be like their father contrary to what many think. Damien has a different style of singing & I'm sure he didn't want to be like his father either.

[@faithxaas6730]

@@alntr2872 Yes he produced that album and the hit Lauryn Hill did “Turn your lights down low” he’s produced for many other artists like Erykah Badu, Eve, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, Nelly, Buju Banton, Wyclef, Damian etc. Stephen is not only a talented producer but as an artist aswell, his albums Mind Control and Revelation Pt 1 & 2 being classics. Let’s not forget the production and features he’s done for Damian’s most popular work.

[@alntr2872]

@@faithxaas6730 yep, fully agree, and Wycleff did say that Stephen is the best producer he's ever met and that Stephen is responsible for what he calls the 'chirpy sound' reverb sound in music. It starts at 4:15. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2mao2KrsSloaM

[@seelondon100]

They were average at best. Musical Youth was way better.

[@Infinitebrandon]

Steve can toast. 1st time i starting to doubt your judgment Ras. Ive never heard anything unique from him and he's the worst rapper i heard with his dead lazy voice. Maybe you should start documenting snoop, jay and nas instead of roots if you think well on steve. Glad you like mercenaries over the revolution and you reap what you sow

[@ReggaeAppreciationSociety]

@@Infinitebrandon 😅