Review
Bob Marley and the Wailers, bless their souls, did something entirely unexpected with their 1978 album "Kaya". They traded in the militant tone for a totally chill vibe, and it's honestly a rad change of pace. Gone are the politics, replaced with love, unity, and sweet, sweet weed. You know, that Rastafarian thing. Their songs are all about relaxation and celebration, except a few that dig a bit deeper into the darkness. Still, it's a very intentional, cohesive record, and you can tell it's all about Marley's journey to find his spiritual self.
"Kaya" has some of Marley's most beloved tracks, like "Is This Love" and "Easy Skanking", which are just timeless and full of funk. But let's not forget the lighter tracks, like "Running Away" and "Time Will Tell", that show Marley hasn't abandoned his serious side just yet. People may have thought they'd lost their edge, but they didn't; they just cooled off for a bit. This one dropped right after Marley's return to Jamaica, around the One Love Peace Concert, and snatched a top five spot on the UK album charts, which I reckon means they did something right. And honestly, "Kaya" is the perfect bridge between the charged "Exodus" and "Survival" and "Uprising". It's like a hazy little island getaway in an otherwise turbulent era of music. - Bianca
