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Review

Album Review: The Wailers - Evolution

08/30/2024

by Gardy Stein

Evolution in its literal sense means "unrolling" or "unfolding", an old Latin word used for the opening of ancient scrolls. In a semantic extension, it has come to describe the gradual development of a process, a situation or a species, and is now also the name of the new album of The Wailers. Today's formation has evolved from the legendary band that used to bring reggae music to the world alongside Bob Marley; after the singer's passing, bassie Aston Francis "Family Man" Barrett and his brother, drummer Carlton Lloyd "Carly" Barrett, have continued to play and tour until the latter was shot in 1987. Other musicians joined in over the years, and the late "Family Man" gradually handed the torch over to his son Aston Barrett Jr., who became the driving force behind the current project, long before his father's passing earlier this year.

Like its predecessor One World (released in 2020), the album is a collaborative effort between producer Emilio Estefan Jr., his label Crescent Moon Records and an impressive roster of songwriters, vocalists and musicians. Owen "Dreadie" Reid, for instance, a guitarist who has played with The Wailers since the '80s, is heard on every one of the twelve tracks on Evolution, along with Wendel "Junior Jazz" Ferraro and Richard J. Walters. Drums and bass are played by band leader Aston Barrett Jr., who also performs as solo singer in the title track and the final Sins, one of the more remarkable songs on the release written by Barrett Jr. and Neil "Khaya" Nanton.

Other singers on the album are Mitchell Brunings, who is touring with The Wailers as lead singer and is heard on You Belong To Me and Get It On, Nikki Kidd (a jazz singer with Jamaican roots who grew up in Miami) on Unpredictable Heart, Emily Estefan (daughter of producer Emilio and Latin pop starl Gloria) on Love Without Pain as well as Mykal Rose. The former Black Uhuru vocalist opens the project with the up-tempo Love Should Be Free and is heard again on the slower Close My Eyes. With Marcia Griffiths, an original I-Threes member lends her voice to Give It Up, one of four songs recorded at the famous Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston.

Coincidence or not, it is those four which constitute the album's biggest strength. Holding On, a personal highlight, brings Aston Barrett Jr. to the mic once more, joined by the mighty Gramps Morgan to sing about the need to keep going in difficult circumstances. The bright, joyful track is enhanced by the sweet harmonies of backing singer Tamara "Teena" Barns, by a wonderful brass section (prominently led by Dean Fraser on sax, Randy "Trumboclaat" Fletcher on trombone and Okiel Mcintyre on trumpet), as well as by impressive Nyabinghi drums and percussions played by Abidan Tafari and Roobny "Speedy" Ligonde.

The same instrumental crew is heard on Generation, on which Aston and Mykal Rose share the mic for a message of hope for future generations. Reinforced by Ras Perty and Hector "Roots" Lewis on percussions (the latter also on background vocals) and Llamar "Riff Raff" Brown on keyboard, the musicians manage to evoke the true spirit of soulful reggae, a feat continued by the aforementioned piece Sins which closes the release.

Evolution is an album that reflects the ever-changing constellation of its creators, bringing together different generations, origins and visions. While not all tracks will appeal to ingrained Wailers fans (there's too much shallow pop influence at times), listening to the various facets of the oeuvre is interesting, and you'll be rewarded by arriving at the safe haven of beautiful roots at the end. More of that, please!    

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