1971 saw the release of Bob Marley’s fourth studio album, The Best of the Wailers, and again, the title is confusing. This was not a greatest hits package, but a 10-song collection of all-new recordings.
And if it feels like a throwback compared to the two albums preceding it, that’s because the tracks were recorded a year and a half earlier, before Marley and the Wailers joined forces with producer Lee “Scratch” Perry.
These songs were recorded with another producer, Leslie Kong, who packaged the album, titled it the “best of” because he felt he’d captured the band at their finest, and released it against their wishes.
This is a quick set, clocking in at just 25 minutes, and finds Marley and the Wailers in a loose and playful mood. The backing musicians are a unit called Beverleys’ All Stars, and their arrangements serve as a nice compliment to the Wailers’ harmonies.
Kong was able to introduce this collection to listeners, but he wasn’t around to enjoy the reception. He died a week after The Best of the Wailers was released, suffering a heart attack at age 38.
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
[Verse 1]
The way you love me, huh, it’s alright
When you put your lovin’ arms around me and you hold me tight
(Holdin’ me tight)
[Bridge]
This is my invitation (My invitation)
I got the special vacation (Special vacation)
I need your concentration (Concentration)
Just to feel your vibration (Vibration)
[Chorus]
At that soul shakedown party tonight (Soul shakedown party tonight)
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight (Soul shakedown party tonight)
[Verse 2]
Jane is in the backyard
Doin’ the outside dance
Come tellin’ me the other day
She didn’t even get a chance
[Bridge]
But this is my invitation (My invitation)
Just a special vacation (Special vacation)
I need your concentration (Concentration)
Just to, just to, just to, just, just to (Vibration)
[Chorus]
Baby, I need you tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
Hit it, brother, y’all
[Instrumental Break]
[Verse 3]
The way you love me, it’s alright
(It’s alright)
When you put your lovin’ arms around me (Arms around me)
And you hold me tight (Hold me tight)
[Bridge]
This is my invitation (My invitation)
I got the special vacation (Special vacation)
I need your concentration (Need your concentration)
Just to feel your vibration (Feel your vibration)
[Chorus]
At that soul shakedown party tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
We gonna have a soul shakedown party tonight
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
Swing with me, baby
(Soul shakedown party tonight)
It will be for two
Meet Me In Montauk 
Wow, quite the sad story about the producer. 38! Sheesh!