Natural Mystic

A balance-redressing addendum to Legend featuring extended cuts and exclusive remixes like 'Crazy Baldhead' and 'Keep on Moving'.

Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On serves as an addendum to the 1984 compilation album, Legend. While Legend focuses mainly on love songs with select politicized and religious works, this collection aims to redress that balance. It features tracks exploring salvation through oneness in "Africa Unite," the greed driving the world toward Armageddon in "So Much Trouble In The World," and Marley's role as a persecuted leader in "Iron Lion Zion." The inclusion of "Easy Skanking" highlights a meditative, laid-back side of the artist during a spiritual time-out. All tracks on the GOLD version have been digitally remastered.

Quick Facts

Artist: Bob Marley and the Wailers
Album: Exodus
Released: 3 June 1977
Genre: Reggae
Length: 3:28
Writer: Bob Marley

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The selection on Natural Mystic focuses heavily on redressing the thematic balance found in the earlier Legend compilation. Where that album leaned toward love songs, this collection brings forward politicized and religious themes to address a world of massive upheaval. The opening title track warns listeners that "one and all got to face reality now." Other tracks explore specific societal pressures: "Africa Unite" addresses salvation through oneness, while "So Much Trouble In The World" examines the greed propelling the world toward an inevitable Armageddon. The album also spotlights Marley's personal experience as a persecuted leader in "Iron Lion Zion," alongside a more meditative moment in "Easy Skanking," where he partakes in Jamaica's most profitable cash crop during a spiritual time-out amidst everyday chaos.

Reader's Guide

The original producers for these tracks include Bob Marley & The Wailers, Alex Sadkin, Steve Smith, Chris Blackwell, and Lee Perry. The compilation itself was produced by Chris Blackwell, Trevor Wyatt, and Bill Levenson. Listeners should note the specific versions included: the extended "Crazy Baldhead" with its emphasis on breakdown noises, and the 1984 UK-exclusive Aswad remix of "Keep on Moving." When listening to "One Drop," pay attention to the ending, which features an alternate version containing a noise possibly sourced from "Satisfy My Soul" (1978). The GOLD version ensures all tracks are digitally remastered for clarity.

Did You Know?

The remix of 'Keep on Moving' features vocals by Aswad and was released exclusively for the UK market in 1984.
The ending of 'One Drop' on this album contains a noise possibly from 'Satisfy My Soul,' originally on the 1978 album Kaya.