When questioned about influences, Bob Marley has named such artists as Nat "King" Cole, Brook Benton and veteran Jamaican balladeer Owen Gray…. [But he] has also pointed to Ricky Nelson, Elvis Presley and Jimi Hendrix as sources of inspiration, admitting to a fascination for rockabilly forms and the soul-tinged hard rock of recent years. If there was any doubt (or fear) that Marley would go on to include variations of these styles in his music. [Rastaman Vibration] delivers the solid confirmation.

"Roots, rock, reggae!" shouts Marley on the cut of the same name. "This a reggae music!" The message is both revealing and instructive, the singer informing us that his music is now a well-honed hodge-podge of Jamaican folk music and all the aforementioned bloodlines—plus rock….

From the thunkety-bop drum roll that kicks off the opening "Positive Vibration," to the closing yelps of "Rat Race," the thorough...