Grammy-Award-winning artiste Stephen Marley is preparing to reap the Fruits of Life -- The follow-up to his successful 2011 release Revelation Part 1: Root of Life.

It was a calm, relaxed, almost shy Marley, the last son produced from the marriage between Bob and Rita Marley, who spoke with the Observer, under a tree on a property adjacent to the famed 56 Hope Road landmark, now being operated as the Bob Marley Museum in St Andrew.

Marley explains that this two-part musical journey came about as a result of a comment he heard on the state of reggae music, which noted that the music was on the decline.

"This kind a talk anger me, as I know what our artistes and musicians capable of, so I was determined to come up with something that represents the best of reggae music," he declared militantly.

Part 1 -- Root of Life -- contains 14-tracks and explores a number of themes including struggle, black pride, love and religion. That album spent a number of weeks on Billboard's Reggae Album Chart, peaking at the number one position.

Music insider Cristy Barber, formerly of VP Records describes Revelation Part 1: Root of Life as a mixture of the modern with the traditional, keeping history alive while embracing the sound of today -- "it's Stephen Marley with a Bob vibe," she explains.

So what can his fans look to in the follow-up? Marley is cautious not to let out too much, but hints that there will be more collaborations -- the first CD contains seven collaborations. However, he allows names like rapper Rakim, deejays Busy Signal and Spragga Benz as well as sibling Damian 'Junior Gong' Marley to slip from his lips.

And, when will Revelation Part 2: Fruits of Life ripen and be available? "When it done," he offers, laughing heartily. "Right now we just tidying up things, looking to release a few singles to build a vibe, but definitely look for something later this year," Marley says.

— Richard Johnson

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