Chances Are, Bob Marley

Bob Marley & The Wailers – Chances Are

Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers

Title: Chances Are

Album Type: Posthumous Studio Compilation

Original Release Date: October 1981

Label: WEA International / Cotillion (US)

Genre: Reggae / Pop-Reggae / Soul

Background & Production Released just months after Bob Marley’s passing in May 1981, Chances Are provides a fascinating, "lost" look at the Wailers’ formative years. The album consists of material recorded between 1968 and 1972 for Danny Sims’ JAD Records, a period when the band was working closely with American singer Johnny Nash. For this 1981 release, the original tapes were significantly overdubbed and remixed at The Power Station and Nola Recording Studios in New York by engineers like Neil Dorfsman and Bob Ludwig. The goal was to give these vintage tracks a contemporary, radio-friendly sheen for a global audience mourning the reggae king.

Musical Composition & Style The album captures a transitional era where the Wailers were blending their Jamaican roots with American soul, funk, and pop-rock sensibilities.

• The Soulful Side: The title track, "Chances Are," is a tender, organ-driven ballad that highlights Marley’s incredible vocal range and his ability to deliver a heartfelt love song.

• Crossover Attempts: "Reggae on Broadway" (originally recorded in 1972) is a standout example of the band’s attempt to break into the US market, fusing a funky, rock-inflected rhythm with Marley's signature "skanking" guitar.

• The "JAD" Influence: Tracks like "Gonna Get You" and "Stay With Me" (written by Jimmy Norman and Al Pyfrom) reflect the smooth, pop-oriented direction Danny Sims envisioned for the group, a stark contrast to the militant "dread" sound they would later perfect on Island Records.

• Early Classics: The album features an early, polished version of "Soul Rebel," offering a smoother take on the song that would later become a cornerstone of their catalog under producer Lee "Scratch" Perry.

Legacy & Collector Notes While purists sometimes debate the 80s overdubbing, Chances Are remains an essential historical document. It reached #27 on the UK Albums Chart and serves as a vital bridge between the Wailers' early Ska/Rocksteady years and their global superstardom. For vinyl collectors, the original WEA or Cotillion pressings are prized for their high-quality mastering and the iconic cover photography by Ebet Roberts, Kate Simon, and Chaka. It is a must-have for any Shopify store catering to Marley completists or fans of "hidden gems" from the golden era of reggae.

• Keywords: Bob Marley, The Wailers, Chances Are, JAD Records, 1981 Vinyl, Posthumous Album, Reggae on Broadway, Soul Rebel, Danny Sims, Reggae History.

• Collection Ideas: Posthumous Legends, The Early Years of Bob Marley, 80s Reggae Rarities, Crossover Classics.

• Related Artists: Johnny Nash, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Toots & The Maytals.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve