Ziggy Marley

Ziggy Marley is not the most talented of Bob Marley’s offspring (that would be Stephen), nor is he the most attractive (that would be Sharon), but he is the most successful of the late reggae legend’s numerous legitimate — and illegitimate — progeny. Beginning his recording career at age ten, Marley’s eldest son has fought long and hard to earn accolades that are more than mere hand-me-downs. Conscious Party (1988) helped, earning critical raves and a Grammy for Best Reggae Recording. Though Party was featherweight compared with Papa’s daunting catalog, Ziggy’s synth-pop take on world music had a breezy charm and plenty of hooks. A pair of well-conceived follow-ups indicated that the reggae heir was standing on his own two feet, but Ziggy fell into a mid-’90s slump from which he has not fully recovered. Free from studio constraints, however, Ziggy remains one of the genre’s most vital purveyors, turning in sweaty performances that throb with authentic Jamaican rhythms and positive vibrations.