Sugarshack has released their latest video featuring The Original Wailers with Al Anderson, bringing us music from the legend Bob Marley, as well as a little Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and some original compositions. Bob Marley, on the brink of international stardom, went solo in 1974 and chose an American, Al Anderson, to be his lead guitarist. Anderson played with Marley until 1976, when he joined Peter Tosh’s band, Word, Sound, and Power. He later returned to Marley’s band and contributed to the live album Babylon By Bus and the studio albums Survival and Uprising. After Marley’s passing, Anderson continued to tour with The Wailers Band and remains dedicated to spreading Bob Marley’s message and music. Today, he works with a fantastic group of musicians as The Original Wailers.
The Original Wailers bring a fresh variation and vibe to these classics—not just Marley’s songs, but also those of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Al Anderson was fortunate enough to play with and be around all three of the original Wailers (the Wailing Wailers). “There are so many bands that copy Bob Marley and The Wailers,” explains Anderson. “I had the opportunity to live and perform with the iconic three original Wailers. I spent a lot of time making music with them and really cherished the thought and moments I had with them. We [The Original Wailers] don’t imitate. We improvise the legendary catalog and perform our own written compositions.”
The band is comprised of talented musicians from around the world, which is fitting considering Bob Marley helped bring reggae music to the world. The Original Wailers include Chet Samuel from Puerto Rico on vocals and rhythm guitar, Ras Klamps from Jamaica on organ, Omar Lopez from Mexico on bass guitar, and Paapa Nyarkoh from Ghana on drums. Each musician brings a distinctive set of influences and musical abilities that shine through in their performances.
The session begins with “Stir It Up,” and my first thought is how sweet the guitar sounds and how wonderful Chet’s voice is. The acoustic sound takes you to a special place. Ras Klamps kills it on the organ, and Al Anderson delivers amazing work on the strings as they transition into “Could You Be Loved.” This version has a more upbeat sound, and the band truly shines, with Al sounding incredible throughout.
Next is “Hypocrites,” a lesser-heard Marley song, and they absolutely nail this version. Chet brings great vocals:
“Dip, for diplomatic
Hyp, for hypocratic
Dry, for dry-land tourist
Top, for Topper Norris!
See the hypocrites, dem a galang deh
See the hypocrites, dem a galang deh
See the hypocrites, dem a galang deh.”
They mix in a little “Ribbon in the Sky” by Stevie Wonder, which was unexpected and awesome! Then it’s time to get us all “Jammin’” with another great upbeat take on the classic:
“We're jammin'
(see)
I wanna jam it wid you
We're jammin', jammin',
And I hope you like jammin', too.”
I love how they stay true to Bob Marley’s original versions while adding just enough of their own style to create an amazing sound. Omar Lopez entertains with fantastic bass work, and the crowd loves it. He even gets the audience clapping along, turning it into a lively jam session. Omar is an incredible musician.
Next is an original song written by Al Anderson and Chet Samuel, “Song of the Divine.” It’s the first time I’ve heard this track, and I love it. It’s a laid-back song that blends reggae, jazz, and soul, featuring a groovy bassline, a rocking guitar solo, and Paapa Nyarkoh keeping the pace with his drums. They follow it up with another original, “Empress Omega,” a song dedicated to all the empresses out there. This upbeat groove makes you want to get up and dance with your empress.
The set continues with a fantastic combination of “Three Little Birds,” “Legalize It” by Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer’s “Rootsman Skanking.” You can’t help but feel carefree listening to this medley. Their version of “Legalize It” is fantastic, with Chet bringing a total Peter Tosh vibe to the vocals. Then, they channel Bunny Wailer as the band jams out with incredible energy.
The session concludes with my favorite Bob Marley song, “Redemption Song.” This track encapsulates Bob Marley’s life, and so many times when others perform it, they fail to capture the feeling, meaning, and emotion. But Chet, Al, Omar, Paapa, and Ras Klamps hit every note perfectly. If I get pulled in and feel the song, you know they did it right. Bob, Peter, and Bunny would be proud of what they’ve brought to us.
Al Anderson has continued to spread the message and love, bringing together an amazing band to carry on this journey. This collection of songs is a joy to experience, appealing to those who have followed Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Wailer, as well as those discovering The Original Wailers and their new music. The message hasn’t changed—it only grows stronger.
One Love – Todd M. Judd
