Ok.. the best in terms of recorded sound are: 1976 onward: Exodus, Kaya, Babylon by Bus(live with hi-fi 'issues') Survival, Uprising (and Confrontation but it's a mixed bag)
Before that(1972-1975: Catch a Fire, Burnin, Natty Dread, Live, Rastaman vibration), recording quality suffers a little bit but it is the Marley "sound": real up-front crisp cymbals, big 'ol bass. Disregard all other recordings as they are not the original Island recordings.
Now as to pressing quality, it's original U.K. or German pressed Island label. also Japan pressed isn't bad. Next are the U.K. pressed digital remasterings (came out in mid-late 1990's)of same catalog which also are good IMHO. Also a little different sounding but very good pressings are the two MFSL (Exodus and Catch a Fire) Stay away from the first "Live" album, Babylon by Bus is better.
Before that(1972-1975: Catch a Fire, Burnin, Natty Dread, Live, Rastaman vibration), recording quality suffers a little bit but it is the Marley "sound": real up-front crisp cymbals, big 'ol bass. Disregard all other recordings as they are not the original Island recordings.
Now as to pressing quality, it's original U.K. or German pressed Island label. also Japan pressed isn't bad. Next are the U.K. pressed digital remasterings (came out in mid-late 1990's)of same catalog which also are good IMHO. Also a little different sounding but very good pressings are the two MFSL (Exodus and Catch a Fire) Stay away from the first "Live" album, Babylon by Bus is better.