The Wailers Trio keeps Bunny Wailer’s vision alive

Fifty years after Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer each released landmark solo albums, their music is getting a fresh interpretation on Rastaman 50. The new project brings together Jamaican artists Blvk H3ro, J Written and Dahvid Slur as The Wailers Trio, with Maxine Stowe, CEO and Executive Producer of Black Atlantic Sounds (BASS), at the helm. More than a tribute to reggae’s pioneers, the album fulfils an idea that came directly from the late Bunny Wailer: keeping the vocal trio tradition alive and passing its music on to a younger generation.

The year 1976 marked an important chapter in reggae history. Each of the three original Wailers released a significant solo album, further establishing their individual identities and helping Jamaican music reach a wider international audience. Rastaman 50 celebrates that milestone by revisiting selected songs from those releases, bringing a contemporary touch to music that remains central to reggae’s foundation.

Bunny Wailer had a clear idea of how the next Wailers Trio should sound and function. He wasn’t looking for a copy of the original group. Instead, he wanted independent artists who understood its musical and cultural importance but could also bring something of their own to the table. The aim was to honour the past without standing still.

Maxine Stowe has taken the lead in turning that ambition into reality. Drawing on her experience in the Jamaican and American music industries, she’s steering a project that puts musical heritage and new talent side by side. Through Black Atlantic Sounds, she wants to ensure that reggae’s history isn’t simply remembered, but continues to inspire fresh creativity.

The three artists bring different musical backgrounds to the collaboration. Blvk H3ro, J Written and Dahvid Slur combine traditional roots reggae harmonies and conscious lyrics with contemporary influences, creating a sound that respects the original Wailers while reflecting the direction of today’s Jamaican music.

A particularly touching moment comes with Dreamland, Bunny Wailer’s much-loved solo classic. His daughter, Cen’C Love (Ngeri Livingston), takes the lead vocals, giving the recording an added emotional weight. It’s a fitting tribute to her father’s artistry and a meaningful link between generations of the Livingston family.

The project also fits into the broader work of Black Atlantic Sounds, an international music, cultural heritage and intellectual property enterprise with roots in Jamaica and a base in the United States. Its activities include recording, storytelling and creative development, with a focus on protecting cultural legacies, supporting artistic ownership and connecting Jamaican music with international audiences.

The Wailers Trio is set to take the project to the stage at the Trench Town Music Festival in February 2027, during Jamaica’s annual Reggae Month celebrations. Performing in Trench Town, the Kingston community where the original Wailers started out, will give the occasion an extra layer of meaning.

With Rastaman 50, Maxine Stowe and the three young Jamaican artists are helping to carry Bunny Wailer’s vision into the future. The project recognises the importance of the original Wailers’ contribution, but doesn’t get caught up in nostalgia. Instead, it gives their music another voice and another reason to be heard. That’s how a legacy stays alive.