Pinoy reggae giants Junior Kilat and Selah Dub Warriors are teaming up to launch their “Missing Mr. Marley” collaboration this February 17 at the One Love Bar and Grill in Cebu City.
“Missing Mr. Marley” was originally written by singer-songwriter Colin Scot as a tribute to Bob Marley after his passing in 1981. Despite a recording in 1982 featuring Jens Peter Jensen and Finn being done, the song was never publicly released. In 1984, a cover was released by Sue Chaloner and was released in six countries as well as featured in different reggae compilations. In 2023, Christina Brandt Jansen, daughter of Jens Peter Jensen, approached Junior Kilat frontman Budoy Marabiles to collaborate on a new original version of the track. Marabiles then teamed up with a fellow iconic reggae band, Selah Dub Warriors.
In a press statement, Marabiles shared that Junior Kilat and Selah Dub Warriors rendition of the song features Colin Scot’s lyrics but with a different musical arrangement. The launch gig is free admission. Junior Kilat and Selah Dub Warriors will be joined by Bisaya artists Uncle Skank, Busking Side Project, Pitchmelba, Domestic Grass, High Times, Peace of Mind, Lumbuds, and Blackzillah.
“Missing Mr. Marley” was released by the two bands last January 19. In other news, a biopic of Bob Marley titled Bob Marley: One Love premiered in the United States last February 14. The film held its worldwide premiere in Marley’s hometown of Kingston, Jamaica last January 23, 2024. The film was directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who most famously directed the 2019 Oscar-nominated film King Richard. It was nominated for Best Picture.
In the lead up to the launch gig, listen to Junior Kilat and Selah Dub Warriors’ rendition of “Missing Mr. Marley” below.