University' Of JaRIA Analyses Bob Marley.....IBO COOPER said "People, there are those who say reggae is an inspirational force. I support it."......Home invasion: After gunmen invaded Marley's Hope Road home, the Wailers band was afraid to perform at the concert.

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

Bob Marley

"People, there are those who say reggae is an inspirational force. I support it. There is something that I personally call, in the creative arts, the invisible consciousness. It is the thing that drives us as artistes.Whether it is contrived or not, it has to come from your gut," said Ibo Cooper, who was the lecturer at the JaRIA (Jamaica Reggae Industry Association) Open University on Thursday, Bob Marley's birthday. Thus, the theme for the session was Bob Marley.

The text for the session was Marley, a film by Kevin McDonald, released first in Jamaica and then to the rest of the world sometime ago.

Ibo Cooper, Chairman RiJia

The philosophical statement of the former Third World band member was given in response to a question posed by a 'student' after the film was shown. The answer he wanted to hear was whether Marley was more than just a musical messenger. Cooper believed that he was more. With reference to the Smile Jamaica Concert, seen on the film, he related a compelling behind-the-scene scenario. more

home invasion