Leon Bridges Brings the Soul to Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song”

Ahead of the new Bob Marley biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, neo-soul prodigy Leon Bridges has contributed a version of one of Marley’s most iconic tracks, “Redemption Song,” to the film’s accompanying EP, featuring contemporary artists covering the reggae legend’s biggest hits.

Bridges’ version certainly has more production than the original, which featured just Marley’s voice and a solo acoustic guitar, but there’s been some great decisions made to not over-produce the new version. Bridges’ smooth voice has the same echo as Marley’s, but some beautiful little touches of gentle percussion, some underscoring piano and an almost duet between an acoustic and electric guitar, adds gravitas to the song’s message.