Reggae Fans Will Be Pleased With Latest From Ziggy Marley

Two years after “Joy And Blues,” Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers’ final album for Virgin Records, the group returns this week with “Free Like We Want 2 B,” its debut album on EastWest/Elektra.

It offers 13 tracks of pop and classic reggae that should help the act regain much of the audience that propelled 1988’s “Conscious Party” to platinum status.

“The lyrics really progress,” says Ziggy Marley of the Melody Makers’ fifth album. “We have more to say. (Sharon Prendergast and Cedella Marley) sing lead on ‘Today,’ a first for the group, and me and Stephen (Marley) play a lot of instruments on the songs. Stephen plays drums, keyboards, synthesizer, percussion, as do I. We all had a lot more input, sharing ideas.”

The Melody Makers attribute their satisfaction with this latest release in part to the freedom that came with working in their own studio. “You don’t have to rush,” says Ziggy. “You can sleep, wake up, and be in the studio. It’s just home vibes, vibes that were there before because Daddy did work there, and a good spirit is in there.”

After completing the Bob Marley family tour of Europe in support of “Natural Mystic: The Legend Lives On,” the Melody Makers head to Canada in July to open several dates for the Tragically Hip. On Aug. 4, they kick off the five-week national H.O.R.D.E. tour, sharing the main stage with the Black Crowes, Blues Traveler, and Victoria Williams, among other acts.