Rating: 
Summary: A vibrant visual record
Review: "Stir It Up: Reggae Album Cover Art" is a fascinating collection of images. The art is accompanied by text written by Chris Morrow; Neville Garrick wrote the foreword.The vibrant, full color illustrations reproduce reggae album cover art of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The cover art ranges from straightforward photographs of the Jamaican landscape and people to ambitious graphic designs. Many iconic images are featured: Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (many times), the lion, the Star of David, marijuana plants, Che Guevera, and--of course--lots of dreadlocks. There are occasionally touches of satire and humor, such as a 1982 Prince Jammy cover spoofing the "Space Invaders" video game. Artists whose covers are featured include Peter Tosh, Judy Mowatt, Black Uhuru, and the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers. In his foreword, Neville Garrick pays tribute to Marley, noting that he "is now regarded as the voice of the oppressed, regardless of their race, religion, or language." I myself know fairly little about Reggae music, but I was captivated by the striking images contained in this book. "Stir It Up" is a noteworthy achievement.
Rating:
Summary: A vibrant visual record
Review: "Stir It Up: Reggae Album Cover Art" is a fascinating collection of images. The art is accompanied by text written by Chris Morrow; Neville Garrick wrote the foreword. The vibrant, full color illustrations reproduce reggae album cover art of the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The cover art ranges from straightforward photographs of the Jamaican landscape and people to ambitious graphic designs. Many iconic images are featured: Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie (many times), the lion, the Star of David, marijuana plants, Che Guevera, and--of course--lots of dreadlocks. There are occasionally touches of satire and humor, such as a 1982 Prince Jammy cover spoofing the "Space Invaders" video game. Artists whose covers are featured include Peter Tosh, Judy Mowatt, Black Uhuru, and the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers. In his foreword, Neville Garrick pays tribute to Marley, noting that he "is now regarded as the voice of the oppressed, regardless of their race, religion, or language." I myself know fairly little about Reggae music, but I was captivated by the striking images contained in this book. "Stir It Up" is a noteworthy achievement.
Rating: 
Summary: Waste of Time
Review: A shaky premise, with poor execution. Easier to browse through your own record collection.
Rating:
Summary: Hollow Shell
Review: Here's a rich topic to investigate! But the treatment here is sketchy and only skims on the surface. A sociologist or cultural anthropologist who knows the terrain should have a good go at the whole idea.
Rating:
Summary: this is a great book
Review: I am enchanted with this beautiful book of reggae album covers. Mr. Morrow's highly perceptive insight into reggae's truth and simplicity is gem that I haven't seen elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, poorly executed...
Review: I can only concur with the previous reviewer. A cultural history of reggae album covers would be a wonderful idea, but this one is not it unfortunately. The text is patronising and only serves to further exoticise Jamaican artists, the choice of sleeves displays a fondness for lions but very little knowledge of the subject. Nothing on Studio One silk screen covers, no mention of Orville 'Bagga' Case, no discussion of the 'Zippo' lighter sleeve to Catch A Fire... I could go on and on, as Buju Banton would say.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, poorly executed...
Review: I live in a town that is devoid of diversified cultures. The art museum mainly displayes classical and modern paintings and the music scene is comprised of little more than college bar bands. Therefore I am rarely exposed to different cultures. While searching Amazon's website, I discovered "Stir it Up" and was intrigued by the premise of the book. I decided to purchase "Stir it Up" and was amazed by how Morrow described a whole new sub-genre that was completely foriegn to me. Furthermore, I enjoyed how Morrow provided the reader with the proper tools to make intelligent and insightful interpretations to the symbolic and hidden meanings of the album covers. Thankfuly, due to "Stir it Up," it was a whole new course in art appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: Stir it Up: A thought provoking book
Review: I live in a town that is devoid of diversified cultures. The art museum mainly displayes classical and modern paintings and the music scene is comprised of little more than college bar bands. Therefore I am rarely exposed to different cultures. While searching Amazon's website, I discovered "Stir it Up" and was intrigued by the premise of the book. I decided to purchase "Stir it Up" and was amazed by how Morrow described a whole new sub-genre that was completely foriegn to me. Furthermore, I enjoyed how Morrow provided the reader with the proper tools to make intelligent and insightful interpretations to the symbolic and hidden meanings of the album covers. Thankfuly, due to "Stir it Up," it was a whole new course in art appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: We Need A Better Book
Review: Let us be true. Most reggae album covers specialize in exploiting and demeaning the women of the Caribbean, with their wine and grind, ca'an dun, punanny, baggy and boops attitudes. That's how it really goes when it comes time to push all the tunes! There is a true book to be written about how reggae's sisters and lionesses have been mistreated, and this silly and insulting object is not it.
Rating: 
Summary: Edutainment
Review: Proving that the words "new and improved" belong as a couplet, Stir It Up blows the doors off the old Blue Notes books on album cover art. Marrow somehow makes the historical and political hip, as Stir It Up imparts the history of reggae, all the while clamoring for a spot on your bookshelf, preferably right next to that bag of spliffs. The magical colors that splash the page allure even the most fastidious eye. Sorry Mr. Bond. I like my album cover books STIRred, not shaken.
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