MULTIPLE Grammy winning artiste Ziggy Marley, is so passionate about showing respect to the musical trailblazers and ensuring that their legacy is cherished and passed on to the next generation, that he has produced the first in a series called Dancehall Originators Vol 1.

A historic reflection of the music is how Ziggy described the collection in a recent telephone interview with the Sunday Observer.

“These youngsters today don’t know enough about the music, where it originated, the who’s who … the veterans who made it happen and the riddims that played such an integral role in the success of the whole thing. It’s important that we understand the past … the legacy, so that we can build and shape the present and the future,” the eldest son of icon Bob Marley declared.

It was out of this realisation that the Dancehall Originators project was born. Ziggy says he threw out the idea to his sister Cedella and VP Records’ Christy Barber and they were both sold and put their all into seeing the project come to life.

The album, a compilation of original dancehall mixes and which also features the ground-breaking Hot This Year riddim, was released last month. Dancehall Originators Vol 1 consists of tracks by Dirtsman, Peter Metro featuring Tanto Metro, Coco Tea, U-Roy and George Nooks, Charlie Chaplin, Chaka Demus, Yellow Man, Pinchers, General Trees and Buju Banton. There is also a Taking You Back Mega Mix, by DJ Roy of Road International.

As Ziggy recalled, “My father and his generation were my mentors and I listen to them to be inspired. And their music has not lost any of its relevance throughout the years. Dancehall Originators will be a series that reflect these artistes who are important to the music.

“It’s all about showing gratitude,” he reiterated, while adding that in other cultures this is the norm.

“Reggae music is very valuable to us and we need to treat it with the respect that it deserves,” he said.

Regarding his recent Grammy win — his fifth — for the album, Family Time, a compilation of children’s songs and which features heavy hitters such as Paul Simon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rita Marley and Laurie Berkner, Ziggy said he was “very happy”.

“I feel good about this Grammy, especially since it’s in a different category from what we are used to. I give thanks for the recognition and realise that this means more hard work as we show the world the versatility that lies within us as reggae musicians and singers,” he said.

Family Time won in the category, Best Musical Album for Children.

— Yasmine Peru