Bob Marley & The Wailers Natty Dread

Bob Marley & The Wailers Natty Dread on Hybrid Stereo SACD: Mastered Directly to DSD from the Original Master Tape by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound

Natty Dread, the seventh album by Bob Marley and The Wailers, released in 1974, was Marley's first recorded without Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer as the Wailers. Natty Dread was most popularly received in the U.K., where it peaked at No. 43 and sold in excess of 100,000 copies, making it a gold album. Over time it gained popularity in other parts of the world, and in 2003 it was ranked No. 181 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Natty Dread was a pivotal album in Bob Marley's discography, embodying the spirit of Rastafarian culture and the socio-political landscape of Jamaica during that era. It's key track "No Woman, No Cry" not only became one of Marley's most famous and most-covered songs, it served as a powerful anthem of resilience and hope, capturing the struggles and joys of everyday life in the ghetto.

Natty Dread propelled Marley to international fame and acclaim and established his worldwide reputation. Today, Natty Dread is considered Marley's finest album, the ultimate reggae recording of all time.