"Kaya, was recorded at the same time as Exodus. 25 or so tracks were recorded and 2 albums were to be made. Exodus contained many of the harder songs, but also had some softer songs, but not as many here. for the Kaya album there were 15 tracks left, and the 10 originally released in 1978 were Love songs, and Homages to the Power of ganja. The band shows a rare different side that is actually quite beautiful. Out of all the Bob Marley and the Wailers album's this album sticks out in my mind because it is so much different than the others. the entire catalogue is unique, but Kaya really leaves a long lasting impression. everyone knows the song "Is this Love?", but many of the other songs are classics and should not be over looked. Sun is Shining, Kaya, Time Will Tell, Easy Skanking, and Running Away are all very good songs. If you are looking for something more unique and different this album is most certainly for you. If you are going to have a reggae collection, you shouldn't pass up on this recording because it is a real treat."
"Excuse me while I light my spliff"
Plump1 | appalachian mountains | 04/18/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've pulled out the original 1978 Tuff Gong release on vinyl, blew the dust off of it, and gave it a spin after 20 years. I've listened to the CD and I can honestly say that this remastered version is fairly comparable to the original.This is a truely beautiful album. ... It is in fact a political statement - listen to the album again in it's entirety - it is one big political statement not love songs (chuckle). Yes Bob is in love with KAYA that "lil brown gal". p.s. KAYA=Ganja=woman.The album is not as blatently political as the previous albums. You have to remember this album was written after Marley was shot and his political statements are more translucent.This album is best if listened to from beginning to end the way it was written and meant to be heard. KAYA was made in the era when conceptual albums were "in", unlike the 1 hit wonder albums of today that has one popular song and 9 other disjointed nonrelavent songs. Thank your monoplolized big name record industry for that and for dictating our airwaves with songs of plastic love and false hope. ... This album is timeless and I'm sure my children will listen to and appreciate this album when their time comes.Warning: if you have conservative ideologies - you will not understand this album and think the devil himself wrote this album. ..."
Marley's least political, most relaxed album
Greg Bower | Durham, NC United States | 08/20/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Sonically, this is easily Marley's best album (just listen to "Sun is Shining" on headphones -- wow). And subject wise, Bob sticks with subjects like being in love, dancing, and getting high. Actually , the pre-iconic Marley had recorded many of these songs many years before (the earlier versions can be heard on the African Herbsman LP, among others). So in many ways, this record was a return to Marley's past. And he was obviously in a fine mood while making Kaya. A "sunny day" record, to say the least."
A Mystical, Ingenious Testament to the Poetry of Music
Spencer Pennington | Seattle, WA | 12/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Kaya" was Bob Marley's soft, beautiful, and melodic follow up to the "Exodus" album of 1977. Released in 1978, "Kaya" was meant to coidncide with the One Love Peace Concert held in April of that year. While "Rastaman Vibration," and to a greater extent, "Exodus," were fiercly sociopolitical and religious, "Kaya" dealt more with homage to the power of ganja (marijuana) and romantic love. One thing "Kaya" and "Exodus" do have in common is the strong spirituality, but "Kaya" takes this in a softer direction. The album even sparked Bob Marley & the Wailers' first World Tour, some of which can be heard on the live "Babylon By Bus" album released later that year.
Each song is a classic, from the slow and steady "Easy Skanking," to the soothing "Time Will Tell". Some of the most notable tracks on the album are the tracks "Is This Love" and "Satisfy My Soul" both featured on the "Legend" compilation. Another is the remake of the roots classic "Sun Is Shining," originally done with Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh in the late 60's-early 70's as was the title track "Kaya" (meaning "marijuana"), an ode to the herb used so reverently by Marley in his lifetime. Two very key songs speak of the assassination attempt aimed at him in 1976: the dark and somber "Running Away," and the forgiving, spiritual "Time Will Tell". Finally, the bonus track "Smile Jamaica [Version]" is a danceable classic, showing the lighter and more playful side of Marley's music. This album is sure to delight every fan with each song again and again."
One of Marley's Smoothest Efforts
ECU_Classic_Music_Fan | Charlotte, NC United States | 02/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Kaya is a pleasure from start to finish. As usual, the remastering further enhances the listening experience.
And again this album is full of Marley songs the average listener has probably not heard. Well worth the money.