I think it'd be legitimately "safe" to say that a [Third Wave] Ska-Punk Fusion band like Rancid would not even exist without vets, Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff. Fuhgeddaboud Bob Marley & The Wailers for a minute, Jimmy Cliff was the true originator of the 2 Jamaican-bred Reggae musicians; Cliff is widely known for his beautiful, honey-drenched Soulful harmonies... and was recently recognized as one of the few Reggae-tinged Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees (March 2010). Past mainstream hits have included "The Harder They Come," "I Can See Clearly Now," and "Many Rivers to Cross." Dr. Cliff is currently putting the finishing touches on a 2012 full-length, Existence.

Jimmy Cliff effectively teamed up with Rancid-Transplants frontman, Tim Armstrong to record what would become his first proper studio release in nearly 8 years, Sacred Fire EP. The by-product of 6 arduous months is a set of 5 songs... produced by Armstrong (guitar) and backed by his session band, The Engine Room. In honor of Record Store Black Friday, Sacred Fire was released in a Special Edition 12" EP format - Thus containing 2 original compositions: "Ship Is Sailing" and "World Upside Down." Cliff & Armstrong decided to round out the record with 3 interesting cover selections: The Clash, Rancid, and Bob Dylan. Head over to okayplayer to catch a re-run of Jimmy Cliff's recent appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon; There, you can view 2 delicately-ROCKIN' [live] tracks, backed by The Roots!