Bob Marley's pre-Island Records output has been reissued so many times in so many configurations (often with little regard for internal coherence or even legality) that it really is best to proceed cautiously around the resulting mare's nest of collections. This one, a three-disc set, is pretty haphazard, combining productions for Arthur Jenkins and Joe Venneri from 1968, Ted Powder from 1969, sessions for Leslie Kong from 1970, Lee "Scratch" Perry tracks from 1970 and 1971, and some Wailers self-productions from 1971. There are also several tracks that don't feature Marley at all, making this a somewhat dubious purchase. The music is fine, and several classic sides are included, but Marley deserves better than this kind of hit or miss packaging. ~ Steve Leggett