Ziggy Marley decided to do a solo album because his band — the Melody Makers — was on hiatus.
"We're all taking a break, but I wanted to keep my creativity going," Marley said during a telephone interview from Los Angeles, Calif. "The album has been something that I have been wanting to do for a long time."
Marley, son of the late reggae legend Bob Marley, said the album "Dragonfly" is a way of giving him more musical dimension.
"It is accurate to say that I wanted to step out of the stereotyping and boxed-in ideas of what I'm all about," he said in his mild Jamaican accent. "It was actually a natural progression for me to write the songs that appear on the album."
"Dragonfly" is more acoustic-oriented, with shades of folk and world music, rather than the straight-on reggae or the dance-hall style that the Melody Makers have done in the past. Marley wrote all the songs while at home in Jamaica and then recorded them in various studios in Hollywood and Miami.
He also called on a few friends to help — Red Hot Chili Peppers' guitarist John Frusciante and bassist Flea, Incubus' DJ Chris Kilmore and Wallflowers' keyboardist Rami Jaffe.
"I always dreamed of playing with great musicians," Marley said. "Flea and the guys loved the idea of playing with me, and really wanted to get involved. It was a meeting of the minds, and we were not only exchanging thoughts, but also music."
The Marley name is a double-edged sword for Ziggy Marley. When he first hit the scene with the Melody Makers — which also featured his brother Stephen and sisters Sharon and Cedella — they had to labor under their famous father's shadow.
After two albums — "Play the Game Right" (1985) and "Hey, World!" (1986) — the group finally received a nod from the Grammys with the release of "Conscious Party" (1988), which won Best Reggae Album. The follow-up 1989 album "One Bright Day" also won a Grammy.
The group released "Jamekya" (1991), "Joy and Blues" (1993), "Free Like U Want 2 Be" (1995), "Fallen Is Babylon" (1997, the band's third Grammy winner), "Spirit of Music" (1999) and "Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers Live, Vol. 1" (2000).
"Throughout my career, it has always been important to me to be truthful to myself," Marley said, citing his father and Jimi Hendrix as major musical influences. "Like my influences, I want to make innovative music. I don't want to be put in a category or box."
Marley did say, however, that "Dragonfly" is in no way a slap to the Melody Makers. "That is the most important thing about all of this. I am loyal to my band. And we will be making music together soon."
If you go
What: Ziggy Marley
Where: Suede, Park City
When: 7 p.m. Sunday
How much: $20
Phone: 467-8499 or 1-800-888-8499
E-MAIL: scott@desnews.com