Stephen Marley: Mind Control : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

There are moments during this middle Marley boy's debut album that you can drift off and imagine you're listening to a long-lost B side from his dad. The fourth of Bob's ten recognized children, Stephen possesses a vocal tone that is uncannily close to his dad's. Perhaps more important, Stephen is also blessed with some of Bob's songwriting gift. He co-wrote and produced most of Damian's breakthrough 2005 collection and demonstrates an even broader range here. "Hey Baby" features a verse from Mos Def and some skillful light R&B production; "The Traffic Jam" is a stripped-down dancehall romp; "Iron Bars" -- which has the impassioned refrain "Let me out, let me out/I'm an angry lion" -- could be a roots-reggae classic. Mind Control does justice to Bob Marley's legacy -- and that's saying a lot.