diff --git a/meta/classes/base.bbclass b/meta/classes/base.bbclass
index 2dcbcb3dc9..4f20bc22d2 100644
--- a/meta/classes/base.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/base.bbclass
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ inherit utils
 inherit utility-tasks
 inherit metadata_scm
 inherit buildstats
+inherit logging
 
 python sys_path_eh () {
     if isinstance(e, bb.event.ConfigParsed):
diff --git a/meta/classes/logging.bbclass b/meta/classes/logging.bbclass
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..78d65bda3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/meta/classes/logging.bbclass
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+# The following logging mechanisms are to be used in bash functions of recipes.
+# They are intended to map one to one in intention and output format with the
+# python recipe logging functions of a similar naming convention: bb.plain(),
+# bb.note(), etc.
+#
+# For the time being, all of these print only to the task logs. Future
+# enhancements may integrate these calls with the bitbake logging
+# infrastructure, allowing for printing to the console as appropriate. The
+# interface and intention statements reflect that future goal. Once it is
+# in place, no changes will be necessary to recipes using these logging
+# mechanisms.
+
+# Print the output exactly as it is passed in. Typically used for output of
+# tasks that should be seen on the console. Use sparingly.
+# Output: logs console
+# NOTE: console output is not currently implemented.
+bbplain() {
+	echo "$*"
+}
+
+# Notify the user of a noteworthy condition. 
+# Output: logs console
+# NOTE: console output is not currently implemented.
+bbnote() {
+	echo "NOTE: $*"
+}
+
+# Print a warning to the log. Warnings are non-fatal, and do not
+# indicate a build failure.
+# Output: logs
+bbwarn() {
+	echo "WARNING: $*"
+}
+
+# Print an error to the log. Errors are non-fatal in that the build can
+# continue, but they do indicate a build failure.
+# Output: logs
+bberror() {
+	echo "ERROR: $*"
+}
+
+# Print a fatal error to the log. Fatal errors indicate build failure
+# and halt the build, exiting with an error code.
+# Output: logs
+bbfatal() {
+	echo "ERROR: $*"
+	exit 1
+}
+
+# Print debug messages. These are appropriate for progress checkpoint
+# messages to the logs. Depending on the debug log level, they may also
+# go to the console.
+# Output: logs console
+# Usage: bbdebug 1 "first level debug message"
+#        bbdebug 2 "second level debug message"
+# NOTE: console output is not currently implemented.
+bbdebug() {
+	USAGE='Usage: bbdebug [123] "message"'
+	if [ $# -lt 2 ]; then
+		bbfatal "$USAGE"
+	fi
+	
+	# Strip off the debug level and ensure it is an integer
+	DBGLVL=$1; shift
+	if ! [[ "$DBGLVL" =~ ^[0-9]+ ]]; then
+		bbfatal "$USAGE"
+	fi
+
+	# All debug output is printed to the logs
+	echo "DEBUG: $*"
+}
+