Artists · Reggae
Bob Marley & The Wailers. From Kingston to London and back.
Stranded in London, back to Kingston on an advance, a new start in England after the assassination attempt – and at the very end “Redemption Song”, just voice and guitar. Seven studio albums from 1973 to 1980: as UHQR and on vinyl at 45 rpm, five of them on reel-to-reel tape – and all seven on SACD too.
Tap a cover – you jump straight to the album.
01 / The journey
Who was there, and when?
On the first two albums Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer sing as a trio. From “Natty Dread” the I-Threes stand beside Marley, and from “Exodus” Junior Marvin joins on guitar. Aston and Carlton Barrett form the rhythmic centre on bass and drums – on all seven albums. Tap a name and the journey shows you the matching albums.
The original trio1973
- Bob Marley vocals, guitar
- Peter Tosh vocals, guitar
- Bunny Wailer vocals, percussion
- Aston & Carlton Barrett bass, drums
With the I-Threes1974–1976
- Bob Marley
- I-Threes vocals
- Aston & Carlton Barrett
- Tyrone Downie keyboards
- Peter Tosh until “Burnin’”
- Bunny Wailer until “Burnin’”
In London1977–1978
- Bob Marley
- I-Threes
- Aston & Carlton Barrett
- Junior Marvin guitar
- Tyrone Downie
Back in Kingston1980
- Bob Marley
- I-Threes
- Aston & Carlton Barrett
- Junior Marvin
- Tyrone Downie
In the magazine: Bob Marley: Burnin’ and Natty Dread on UHQR →
“They kept the idea – the political drama behind these records from 1973 and 1974, the sound of the original – instead of going all audiophile. That made me so happy.”
02 / All albums
All 7 albums
In order of release. Prices and availability come live from the shop.
The original trio · 1973
Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer – with Aston and Carlton Barrett on bass and drums.
released 1973
Catch a Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Aston & Carlton Barrett
Stranded in London without the money to get home: Chris Blackwell gave the Wailers a £4,000 advance for the journey back and an album. The basic tracks were recorded in Kingston in 1972; in London, Wayne Perkins and John “Rabbit” Bundrick added their parts.
UHQR · 33⅓ RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
UHQR · 45 RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
Reel-to-reel tapeUltra Tape
SACD
released 1973
Burnin’
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Aston & Carlton Barrett
The original trio’s final studio album – Marley, Tosh and Bunny Wailer: basic tracks at Harry J’s in Kingston, overdubs and mixing at London’s Basing Street Studios. The Wailers re-recorded “Put It On”, “Small Axe” and “Duppy Conqueror” for it.
“The UHQR delivers on soundstage, depth and fidelity. Everybody is in their place, as if set in stone – and you can follow exactly how they move, especially when they sing.”
“This comparison uncovers what stayed hidden until this UHQR – a festival for the hi-fi in your home … Ten out of ten, considering that this is a 33⅓.”
UHQR · 33⅓ RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
UHQR · 45 RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
Reel-to-reel tapeUltra Tape
SACD
With the I-Threes · 1974–1976
Marley becomes the central voice, with Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt singing beside him.
released 1974
Natty Dread
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: I-Threes, Aston & Carlton Barrett
Tosh and Bunny Wailer are no longer in the line-up – Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt join as the I-Threes. Here “No Woman, No Cry” is the 1974 studio recording.
“The soundstage here is set in stone … The Clarity Vinyl really helps: cleaned, it is dead silent and helps uncover what’s in the grooves – that lifts these records to new heights.”
UHQR · 33⅓ RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
UHQR · 45 RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
Reel-to-reel tapeUltra Tape
SACD
released 1976
Rastaman Vibration
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: I-Threes, Aston & Carlton Barrett, Tyrone Downie
After “Natty Dread” and the London Lyceum shows, the studio work returned to Kingston: recorded at Harry J and Joe Gibbs, mixed in Miami. “War” draws on a speech by Haile Selassie.
“It adds something to every single aspect of the record.”
UHQR · 45 RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
Reel-to-reel tapeUltra Tape
SACD
In London · 1977–1978
After the assassination attempt in Kingston, two albums grow out of the same London sessions.
released 1977
Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: I-Threes, Aston & Carlton Barrett, Junior Marvin, Tyrone Downie
After the assassination attempt in Kingston in December 1976, Marley left for England. The album was recorded largely at London’s Basing Street Studios and released in 1977: from “Natural Mystic” to “One Love / People Get Ready”.
“It was frightening how much better the 45 RPM UHQR of Exodus is – it simply smoked it.”
UHQR · 45 RPM200 g Clarity Vinyl
Reel-to-reel tapeUltra Tape
SACD
released 1978
Kaya
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: I-Threes, Aston & Carlton Barrett, Junior Marvin, Tyrone Downie
From the same London sessions as “Exodus”, released in 1978: here affection, longing and everyday pleasures move to the front – with “Is This Love” and “Satisfy My Soul”.
“All analogue, mastered at Abbey Road – and I was there that day. I saw the tapes; it was such an exciting, wonderful day.”
Vinyl · 45 RPM2 LPs
SACD
Back in Kingston · 1980
released 1980
Uprising
Bob Marley & The Wailers
With: I-Threes, Aston & Carlton Barrett, Junior Marvin, Tyrone Downie
Recorded at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston and released in 1980 – the last studio album released during Marley’s lifetime. It ends with “Redemption Song”, just voice and acoustic guitar.
“A great Bob Marley album. When it comes to sound quality, I’m totally pleased – and a bit surprised how close these two releases come to the amazing UHQRs.”
Vinyl · 45 RPM2 LPs
SACD
No album matches these filters.
03 / Guide
Where do you start?
The seven Bob Marley & The Wailers studio albums gathered here run from “Catch a Fire” (1973) to “Uprising” (1980): from the original trio with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer via the I-Threes to the last studio album released in Marley’s lifetime. We carry them in 22 editions – eight of them as UHQR on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl, plus double LPs at 45 rpm, reel-to-reel tapes and all seven as hybrid SACDs. Where you start depends on what you want to hear.
You want to hear the Wailers as a trio
Then start with “Catch a Fire” or “Burnin’”. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer stand at the centre together, and Tosh brings songs of his own: “400 Years” and “Stop That Train” on “Catch a Fire”, “One Foundation” on “Burnin’”. “Burnin’” is also the original trio’s final studio album.
You’re looking for the big songs in their studio originals
Many of these songs are familiar – here they stand within their albums: “No Woman, No Cry” in its 1974 studio version on “Natty Dread”, “Jamming”, “Three Little Birds” and “One Love / People Get Ready” on “Exodus”, “Is This Love” on “Kaya” and “Redemption Song” at the end of “Uprising”.
You want to hear what happens behind Marley
From “Natty Dread” on, the I-Threes – Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt – answer him. Aston and Carlton Barrett hold the ensemble together on bass and drums; on “Exodus” it pays to follow a bass line for once instead of going straight to Marley’s voice. And on “Rastaman Vibration” Earl “Chinna” Smith and Donald Kinsey are among the guitarists, with Tyrone Downie on keyboards.
You want to hear Marley’s last studio album
“Uprising” was made at Tuff Gong Studios in Kingston and appeared in June 1980, the last studio album released in Marley’s lifetime. It opens with “Coming In From The Cold” and ends with “Redemption Song”: after nine tracks with band accompaniment, just Marley’s voice and his acoustic guitar.
Which edition suits you?
Five albums are available as UHQR on 200-gram Clarity Vinyl; for “Catch a Fire”, “Burnin’” and “Natty Dread” you choose between 33⅓ and 45 rpm – the question below explains the difference. “Kaya” and “Uprising” come as double LPs at 45 rpm; when this edition of “Kaya” was mastered at Abbey Road, Michael 45 was there in the studio. The Ultra Tape is for your tape machine: quarter-inch tape, 15 ips, two-track stereo. And the hybrid SACD has two layers – the CD layer plays on any CD player, the SACD layer on an SACD player.
Frequently asked
Quick answers
Where do I start?
With the stop that appeals to you: “Catch a Fire” and “Burnin’” show the original trio, “Natty Dread” and “Rastaman Vibration” the new start with the I-Threes, “Exodus” and “Kaya” the London years, and “Uprising” the finale with “Redemption Song”.
Which editions are available for which album?
“Catch a Fire”: UHQR at 33⅓ and at 45 rpm, reel-to-reel tape (announced, available to pre-order) and SACD. “Burnin’” and “Natty Dread”: UHQR at 33⅓ and at 45 rpm, reel-to-reel tape and SACD. “Rastaman Vibration” and “Exodus”: UHQR at 45 rpm, reel-to-reel tape and SACD. “Kaya” and “Uprising”: vinyl at 45 rpm and SACD.
What is the difference between the UHQR at 33⅓ and at 45 rpm?
Take “Catch a Fire”: at 33⅓ rpm it is a single record with the original layout – five tracks on side one, four on side two, one side change. At 45 rpm it becomes a double LP with four sides. “Catch a Fire”, “Burnin’” and “Natty Dread” are available in both versions.
What do I need for the Ultra Tape?
A tape machine for quarter-inch tape at 15 ips (38 cm/s) in two-track stereo, with IEC (CCIR) equalisation according to the series information. We have “Burnin’”, “Natty Dread”, “Rastaman Vibration” and “Exodus” as Ultra Tape; “Catch a Fire” is announced and available to pre-order.
Does the hybrid SACD play on my CD player?
Yes. The CD layer plays on any CD player; the SACD layer needs an SACD player. We have all seven albums as hybrid SACDs.
Who are the I-Threes?
Rita Marley, Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt. From “Natty Dread” (1974) they sing beside Bob Marley as the I-Threes – on our albums right through to “Uprising” (1980).
Details from our product texts, years = year of release (as of 19 Sept 2026). Price and availability live from the shop.
