Personnel: Julian Marley (vocals, guitar); Stephen Marley (vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, drum); Owen Reid (guitar, bass guitar); Bob Marley (guitar); Noel Davey (keyboard); Earl Fitzsimmonds, Carl McClaughlin (keyboards); Christopher Meredith (bass guitar); Robert Brownie, Wilburn "Squiddly" Cole, Sly Dunbar (drum); Erica Newell, Sharon Marley, Cedella Marley (background vocals).
MR. MARLEY was Damian Marley's first release as a solo artist, reissued worldwide after the cross-genre success of his breakthrough album, WELCOME TO JAMROCK. Originally released in 1996 and featuring songwriting and production by older brother Stephen Marley, MR. MARLEY deals head-on with the issue of Damian's legendary father and his influence, both in featuring a baby photo of Damian with his dad on the front cover and by adapting some of Bob Marley's rhythms for his own songs. This is not a pure reggae release, however; rather, it's the first of Damian Marley's trademark blends of hip-hop attitude and reggae soul that would make him an international star nearly a decade later. Highlights include the slinky "Keep On Grooving" and the album's closing paternal tribute, "Mr. Marley."