Melody Makers Starting to Forge Their Own Path

The progeny of pop icons are handed a mixed blessing. Whether it’s Frank Sinatra Jr. or Sean and Julian Lennon, a built-in audience unfortunately comes with expectations that junior will perform in permanent tribute to dad.

Some manage to escape that trap. At the first of three nights at the House of Blues on Thursday, Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers showed that even as they continue to carry on a powerful tradition, they are slowly stepping outside the oeuvre of reggae giant Bob Marley and have begun to go their own way.

These nine players and three backup singers remain masters of the deepest reggae groove, which still dominated their 90-minute set, including a stirring version of Bob Marley’s “Jammin’ ” led by singer-guitarist Michael Marley. But as captured on the band’s new “Spirit of Music” album, the Melody Makers have also developed a real flair for folk-flavored soul.

It’s a sound unlike the light pop-reggae songs that have already awarded Ziggy Marley the kind of crossover success that his father, who died in 1981, knew only in his influence on such contemporaries as Stevie Wonder and Eric Clapton. On Thursday, such new songs as “Higher Vibration” were soulful and sophisticated, suggesting another worthy path to follow.

Ziggy Marley could have used more of his father’s hard-edged lyrical content. He still sings hopefully of sunshine and unity, in lyrics that are well-meaning but too often forgettable. Like the music he’s begun to play, he needs to find long-lasting words of his own.

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* Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers play tonight at the House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 9 p.m. $35. (323) 848-5100. Also Sunday at the Santa Barbara Bowl, 1122 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara, 3 p.m. $21 to $36. (805) 962-7411.