by Jo-Ann GreeneBob Marley's second son has followed an unusual career path. From child star with the Melody Makers to Grammy Award-winning producer, Stephen Marley has now at age 34 finally gotten around to releasing his debut solo album. Inevitably, expectations ran high, but just what would the celebrated and eclectic artist deliver? The answer is Mind Control, an album that will invariably garner him another Grammy, and deservingly so, for this is a stunning set. Thoroughly immersed in music since birth, open to sounds both new and old and from near and far, and with that genetic Jamaican talent for borrowing others' styles but remaking them as one's own, Marley has crafted an album that's timeless and borderless, but still reggae in feel and thoroughly fresh in sound. He admittedly had help, from siblings Damian, Julian, and Sharon as well as veteran (mostly Jamaican) musicians and studio hands, and a clutch of guest singers, rappers, and toasters. But don't hold that against Marley; only a fool would turn his nose up at such top-tier talent for the taking -- and besides, it's his vision they're interpreting. And Marley's vision ranges far and wide, but also close to home on "Chase Dem." Here, over a fabulous, bubbly roots reggae version of "Jammin'," Marley runs off the politicians responsible for so much misery in this world. Of all Bob's children, Stephen most closely evokes him vocally, and never more so than on the heartaching "You're Gonna Leave," with the brooding melody echoing of the Wailers as well. But the arrangement and production are all Stephen's own, and beholden not to Bob but to the Bristol sound. ...