Album Review: Ziggy Marley - 'Love Is My Religion'

By Patrick Luce Jul 7, 2006, 22:40 GMT

2006 release and second solo album by Bob Marley\'s son, the follow-up to the successful Dragonfly album from 2003. Features 12 tracks total including 10 new songs plus an Acoustic Version of the title track and \'Be Free\' (Dub). Tuff Gong. ...more

Ziggy Marley’s ‘Love Is My Religion,’ the follow-up to the singer’s debut solo album, is a rocking reggae album full of catchy songs that are radio friendly and enjoyable.

The Grammy winning Marley fills the album with catchy songs that blend guitar, percussions, keyboards, and horns. The singer/songwriter creates an album that moves beyond the reggae genre of music and mixes in elements of jazz, blues, rock and pop.

‘Love Is My Religion’ kicks off with the poppy sounding “Into The Groove” - which is an uplifting song telling you to look at the brighter side of life and enjoy the ride.

While tracks like “Friends” crossover into the pop music category, Marley also fills the album with traditional reggae sounds on songs like “Black Cat,” “Beach in Hawaii” “A Lifetime” and the album’s title track – which has shades of his legendary father Bob Marley.

The singer shows some more of his versatility with “Make Some Music” which lends more to jazz than reggae. Other tracks like “Still the Storms” and “Be Free” lean more to the blues side of music.

Marley also uses ‘Love Is My Religion’ to expand on themes (ranging from personal to political) he explored on his debut album ‘Dragonfly.’ While tracks like “Into the Groove” feature easily danceable beats, Marley also uses tracks like “Be Free” to discuss the power of fear. The album’s title track is about a unifying devotion to love that Marley has stated “needs to be preached in churches and mosque and synagogues.”  The album closes with a stripped-down acoustic guitar version of “Love Is My Religion” and a bass-heavy, trip-hop mix of “Be Free.”

I have never been a really big fan of reggae music, and wasn’t looking too forward to reviewing ‘Love Is My Religion.’ The album quickly won me over by the fourth song, and it is one I would recommend to anyone curious about Marley’s ability to overcome the shadow of his father. He has crafted an album which features one good song after the next. It is enjoyable, but also has a strong message.

‘Love Is My Religion’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information and a complete track listing.