Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus (1977)
I love Bob Marley – and yet I reckon he’s somewhat underrated. Hear me out…he’s a legend (pardon the pun), he’s an icon, he’s a figurehead. To many he is Reggae. To at least as many others he is the gateway. He is a hero to some people that don’t even care about his music. Poet and a prophet. Philosopher. All of this. And more. But I still think he’s underrated…as a songwriter. I mean the best of his work shines and there have been many covers but you never seen him high on the list of influential/important songwriters. And he should be. At his best the work is stunning. And he knew how to craft a pop hook – within the reggae sound. I’ve loved Marley since I was a little kid and yet there’s a lot still to learn and absorb for me. I’ve been going through the catalog a lot lately, and realising there are a few gaps in my vinyl collection. So this is the latest kick. An album I owned on CD but had never got around to getting on vinyl. One of his stone-cold classics. Jam-packed with good songs. And great performances. One of my favourites. But I feel like they’re all about to become favourites. One way. Or another.  

Sample Track: The Heathen
The Vinyl Countdown is a document of every LP I listen to, brand new discoveries and old-old favourites; extremely pre-loved, previously abandoned or with the shrink-wrap having just been removed it’s all here at The Vinyl Countdown