Survival

Description

Survival is the seventh album by Bob Marley and the Wailers (fifth studio album), originally released in 1979. At the end of 1978, Bob fulfilled his dream. He traveled to Ethiopia, thanks to his friend Alan Cole, who had become the coach of the Ethiopian Airlines football team. This trip deeply affected him. Upon returning to Jamaica, he decided to create an album entirely focused on Africa, which he would title Black Survival. Later, he preferred to change this name to Survival, fearing it would be misunderstood by his white audience. The album was recorded and mixed at the brand new Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston. It was a true return to his roots after Exodus and Kaya, which were recorded in London. It was also the first album that contained only new songs (the previous ones all had at least one new version of an old Wailers track). For Bob, Survival was the first part of a trilogy that was more militant than ever. During the recording, Bob was tired and depressed. This made him irritable, and the atmosphere was tense. A new producer, Alex Sadkin, was hired by Chris Blackwell. He wanted a more precise and polished sound. Bob's only request was that the album sound like Stevie Wonder. Survival is often considered Bob Marley's most accomplished album, but also the most politically engaged. It showcases Bob's pan-African and solidarity vision. The song Zimbabwe became the anthem of the rebels in Southern Rhodesia. Subsequently, the Wailers were invited to perform at the independence ceremony of Zimbabwe on April 18 and 19, 1980.