Reggae Video and Music from Jamaica

In 1973 young artist and filmmaker Lee Jaffe met Bob Marley in New York City and within hours cemented a friendship that would see Jaffe becoming a "Wailer" right down (or up) to his dreadlocks.

While Marley was well known in Jamaica, he was little known in the rest of the world. Jaffe witnessed Marley's life and increasing fame during those years. He helped organize Marley's first American tour and played reggae with the Wailers throughout Jamaica. He learned Rastafarian ways. And he took wonderful, candid photographs of the many colorful characters who moved through Bob's world. This book, with the photographs and Jaffe's account of those exciting years, is a lens through which we have an intimate view of the young Marley. Jaffe's recollections of life with Marley are little diminished by time. Indeed, they are as colorful as the photographs, and as revealing. 120 four-color photographs.

This book is chock full of extremely rare Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, and Bob Marley photos, most of which have only been seen by those close to Lee Jaffe. As an example, if you are reading this review, you are most likely aware of Peter Tosh's Legalize It album cover...you know, the one where he is sitting in a ganja field with his pipe. Contained within the pages of this glorious book are several pictures from the Legalize It photo shoot by Jaffe, who had a trigger happy finger, and Jaffe's impeccable memory allows for detailed captions of the photos in the book.

He also tells of his experiences with Bob Marley and crew, in response to Roger Steffens' probing questions. Jaffe has a lot to say and doesn't leave any details out. I bought the book for the pictures and was very satisfied with Jaffe's words. Through Jaffe we glean minute details about what life was like for the Wailers and crew prior to "bussing it" on the international music scene. He brings those experiences to life.

As a bonus, this book is attractively laid out with vibrant color schemes that are not too busy.