I back to listening to my old records again. Since last night, I've been listening to Bob Marley's Songs of Freedom over and over again. This particular collection is 4-albums' worth of songs from more than twenty years of writing. I just love the poetry of his songs that talk about religion, freedom, love and being human. His music has had a profound effect on the way I think, too. His music speaks to me. That's as succinct as I can put it. You see, to me freedom and love are worth fighting and dying for. That's what Bob Marley and his music stood for. That's what Bob Marley played for. Love and Freedom! And each song is crafted with the easy, carefree island beats of reggae. I don't have a bit of groove in me body but when me hear this reggae music, I get me a reggae fever and strut to island beat.

I've actually expanded my horizons too. In the past 10 years, I've bought albums from UB40, Big Mountain and Indio I (it's a local reggae band). I also have a bootleg copy of Jacob Miller and the Inner Circle. I even bought this compilation by Island Records that's full of great stuff from bands like Toots & the Maytals, Steel Pulse and Gregory Isaacs. I enjoy the roots stuff over dancehall reggae. It's melodic and full of the natural 'dread' of the bass guitar riffs that have become synonymous with reggae. The latest thing I've bought, around 2 weeks ago, was a Bob Marley Tshirt. Been meaning to get one for 10 years but I haven't found a design I liked. Two weeks ago I did find something I liked. Got it cheap too.

Too bad about the tapes, though. The ones I have (Songs of Freedom) have started deteriorating. They don't sound as clear as they did. I've been wanting to buy the CD's but they're only available in the US. The shipping charges are murder too. And with the exchange rates at the level they are now, that means they're too expensive for me. Well, no use dreaming an' hopin'. I'll just listen till I can. By the time the tapes finally get busted, the songs will be in my head for me to "listen" to everyday.