For the album Kaya , the song was re-recorded with a more polished, "soft reggae" feel and added backing vocals from the I-Threes.
For historians, this specific mix represents the . It is a snapshot of a time when Marley was still a local Jamaican star, experimenting with the heavy basslines and mystical production that would eventually define the roots reggae genre on a global scale.
This "club mix" brought Marley's voice to a new generation, topping charts worldwide and becoming one of the first major "reggae-house" crossover hits. sun_is_shining_jamaican_7_mix
Carlton Barrett’s drumming provides a steady, meditative pulse.
Despite the bright title, the song carries an underdog's perspective, famously opening with "Sun is shining, the weather is sweet / Make you want to move your dancing feet," but transitioning into a plea for rescue and spiritual guidance. Evolution and Remixes For the album Kaya , the song was
The 1971 7" single was originally released on the label in Jamaica and the Upsetter label in the UK. Its legacy evolved through several key versions:
In the early 1970s, the collaboration between and visionary producer Lee Perry transformed the Wailers' sound. Moving away from their ska roots, they leaned into a slower, more hypnotic "riddim." The Jamaican 7" mix of "Sun Is Shining" captures this transition perfectly, characterized by: This "club mix" brought Marley's voice to a
"Sun Is Shining" (Jamaican 7" Mix) is the definitive 1971 roots reggae masterpiece produced by at his Black Ark studio, featuring Bob Marley and the Wailers. While the song later became a global dance hit via the 1999 Funkstar De Luxe remix, the original Jamaican 7" mix is prized by collectors for its raw, haunting atmosphere and stripped-back arrangement. The Genesis of a Classic