The Wailers - Catch A Fire [Universal Japan 200g LP (UIJY-9044)] 24-bit/96kHz

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More than anything else, however, this marks the emergence of Bob Marley and the international debut of reggae music. Marley would continue to achieve great critical and commercial success during the 1970s, but Catch a Fire is one of the finest reggae albums ever. This album is essential for any music collection.

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This japanese reissue is IMO by far the best sounding version of Catch A Fire!!!


Catch a Fire is the major-label-debut album for Jamaican reggae band The Wailers, released on Island Records in 1973. The album established the band as international superstars. Leader Bob Marley in particular became world-famous. The socially aware lyrics and militant tone surprised many listeners, but others were attracted to songwriters Marley and Peter Tosh's confrontational subjects and optimistic view of a future free from oppression.

Catch a Fire peaked at #171 and #51 on Billboard's (North America) Pop Albums and Black Albums charts respectively. It is number 123 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, the second highest placement of the four Bob Marley albums on the list.

Remixing the "English" version

On completion, the master tapes were taken to the UK for remixing, and Chris Blackwell enlisted the help of two US musicians - making an "English" version of the album. Wayne Perkins re-did some of the rhythm/ lead guitar, whilst John "Rabbit" Bundrick added some organ, electric piano, clavinet and synthesizer




Cover art

The first 20,000 copies of the original 1973 vinyl release were encased in a sleeve depicting a Zippo lighter. The sleeve functioned as a Zippo lighter case would, opening at a side hinge to reveal the record within. However, producers soon realized that this operation would require hand-manufacture, as machinery available was not sufficient to rivet the upper and lower halves of the sleeve together. Copies of the record from these original pressings have since become collectors' items, and subsequent pressings are recognizable by their alternative cover art. The japanese reissue is a perfect reprint of the outstanding original cover!




Track listing

Side A
1. "Concrete Jungle" (Marley) – 4:13
2. "Slave Driver" (Marley) – 2:53
3. "400 Years" (Marley/Tosh) – 2:45
4. "Stop That Train" (Tosh) – 3:55
5. "Baby We've Got A Date (Rock It Baby)" (Marley) – 3:57

Side B
1. "Stir It Up" (Marley) – 5:32
2. "Kinky Reggae" (Marley) – 3:37
3. "No More Trouble" (Marley) – 3:50
4. "Midnight Ravers" – 5:08


Personnel

Bob Marley – Guitar (acoustic), guitar, Vocals, producer
Peter Tosh – Organ, guitar, piano, Vocals
Bunny Wailer – bongos, conga, Vocals
Aston "Family Man" Barrett – Bass guitar
John "Rabbit" Bundrick - keyboards/synthesizer
Carlton "Carlie" Barrett – drums
Chris Blackwell – Producer
Carlton Lee – Engineer
Tony Platt – Engineer
Bob Weiner – Design
Rod Dyer – Design