Harambe (Working Together for Freedom)

Low-key but likable, Rita Marley's second album after her husband's death in 1981 breaks little new ground. As on her solo debut, Who Feels It Knows It, members of Bob Marley's crack touring band, the Wailers, help out on the material. Their role underscores the sense of familiarity here, even if their professionalism could stand more spark at times. On the other hand, the discreet backup style allows Rita's vocal star to shine; she's in especially fine fettle on the bouncy title track. The unhurried grooves that made Who Feels It Knows It so appealing -- spiced with unobtrusive guitars and keyboards -- are fully evident here, while the rhythm work is sturdy and self-assured. Not surprisingly, Rita retains the moral authority of her late husband's finest work: "Fussing and Fighting" is a stern warning against internecine squabbling, and "The Beauty of God's Plan" revisits the world's existence through the lens of Rasta theology. Rita also takes care to look beyond her backyard -- as on "Who Can Be Against Us," which closes the album on an upbeat, resounding note. However, the most appealing track is "There'll Always Be Music," whose elementary melody line neatly underscores its optimism about the future of song. One Draw remains the album to beat on a songwriting level, but Harambe is an agreeable enough follow-up. ~ Ralph Heibutzki