"Exodus" is one of those albums that is difficult to be impartial, no less critical, towards due to the intense feelings towards it. Most Marley fans will argue that this is the ONE album of his to get. I would have to disagree and do so at my job in a music store all the time...

I fully agree that this is one of Bob's crowning achievements-"Natural Mystic," "Jamming" and "One Love/People Get Ready" are among the strongest songs in Marley's canon, but the lp is not the end all be all of Marley's works, no less reggae itself.

For my money, if I HAD to choose one Marley lp, it would be "Catch a Fire" with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, a truly monumental lp from start to finish..If I HAD to choose 2, I would include Bob's "Natty Dread" with "Catch a Fire." I would then choose "Burnin'" and then probably "Exodus."

The beauty is that we don't have to choose any one Marley lp to be the ONE. They are ALL part of the Great ONE. I love "Exodus"- always have- but people who pigeonhole it as the ONE are missing the beauty of all the others.

Choose all, or choose none..either way,, enjoy all of the albums, including "Exodus," one of Marley's crowning acheievements.

What motivated Bob Marley to write some of his best lyrics, with strong spiritual content, messages of biblical condemnation for the wicked and biting criticism of the system and it's defenders? A complete album, some of his best work ever, and in contrast to earlier albums where there were always a few redone songs from his ska and rocksteady days, Exodus was mostly all new songs. Here you have an excellent mix - strong roots reggae rhythms on 'Natural Mystic' a Rasta grounation chant 'Heathen', a lighter dance tune 'Jammin', melodies such as 'One Love' and 'Three Little Birds' and two tracks that show Bob could have sung R&B, soul, love songs namely 'Waiting in Vain' and 'Turn your lights down low'. The title track was unique. Never before had there been a reggae song sounding like it, (funky world beat) nor had a reggae song ever been so long - over 7 minutes, most were short, to the point 3-4 minute jobs. The album built on what had been achieved with the previous album - penetration of the US market, but significantly here 'Exodus' was the first Wailer tune to get extensive airplay on African-American radio. What was the creative force behind all of this? We know that ganja and scripture reading was the fuel for some of Bob's words of wisdom but this album (specifically the first 4 tracks) were forged in direct response to one specific incident that happened to him in late 1976.

Bob, Rita and the bands manager were at Bob's yard two nights before the 'Smile Jamaica' concert scheduled for December 5. The concert, featuring the Wailers, was to be held at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. It was conceived by Bob himself as a means of getting peoples minds off politics, which was the all consuming force in the Island at that time, with a general election coming up on December 16. Gunmen burst into the Marley house firing shots, all three were hit, Bob's manager five times, a shot grazed Bob's chest and hit his arm and Rita had one graze her skull. Who did it and for what reason was never known as the gunmen were not identified nor caught. Politics was suspected. Although the Wailers were not supporters of party politics they could hardly be called apolitical as their criticisms of the system, inequality, injustices and oppression had always been central to their message. It's just that it was the strongest in the previous album. If that is what it was all about, rather than be subdued, Bob was stirred up and 'Exodus' was his creative response fueled by righteous rastafari anger. Bob himself says so in a line from 'Jammin' - 'No bullet can stop us now'. All in all an album of excellent musical expression.

NOTHING COMPARES TO BOB! EVERY GENERATION CAN BENEFIT FROM HIM! IM 26!I SURE DID. NUFF SAID.SO JAH SAY.

If you have to buy one Bob Marley CD this has to be the one. "Exodus" encompasses all the genius of a true legend. From the throbbing misty introduction of "Natural Mystic to the joyous "One Love" there is no let up in magnificently crafted songs of wisdom, love and indeed war. For me "Waiting In Vain" steels the show as Marley pleas for understanding and unattainable love. If you really want to hear "Jamming" as it was supposed to be heard after the anthem that is "Exodus" buy this CD now. "Exodus" is truly a magnificent treat.

Really this album is definitive Bob Marley.Legend has assumed the mantle of being Bob's best album, yet it does not include " Roots,Rock,Reggae " which remains his only US top ten hit (No6).So-called connoiseurs fail to realise that " Buffalo Soldier" was a hit posthumously for Bob, but he didn't think it was good enough to put on a album when he was alive.Exodus turned Bob into a superstar although the US did not catch on till the release of Legend.Exodus contains everything, militancy, prophecy,romanticism,righteous education and more." Catch a Fire " is classic reggae, Exodus is classic Bob.