In the year Bob Marley would have turned 60, the past, present, and future of his music are celebrated--not only with the first Bob Marley & the Wailers greatest-hits package to include both his early sides and his Island Records hits, but also a new recording and two new remixes. Along with 17 vintage tracks, Africa Unite: The Singles Collection spotlights "Slogans," the first new official Marley track released in more than a decade.
It is believed Marley recorded the song in a Miami bedroom in 1979. The tapes were kept at Marley's mother's house and in 2004 the reggae legend's sons Stephen and Ziggy revisited the acoustic demo. In 2005, Stephen overdubbed the tracks with other instruments, including guitar by Eric Clapton. Stephen and Ziggy produced "Slogans" specifically for this release.
Another new recording is a remix of "Africa Unite," whose original was heard on the 1979 album Survival. The song is presented here in an anthemic remix by will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, who was personally invited to create the remix by Rita Marley, Bob's wife. Also new is the Ashley Beedle remix of "Get Up, Stand Up vs. Jamrock," a mash-up of Bob's classic and "Welcome To Jamrock," the 2005 hit from youngest son Damian.
