"Reggae evolved in Jamaica in the late '60s from various musical styles including ska, rocksteady, traditional mento and American R&B - acts such
as Curtis Mayfield's Impressions and Sam & Dave exerting a strong influence on the young Wailers and reggae progenitors like Lee 'Scratch' Perry and Studio One owner/producer Clement 'Coxsone' Dodd. I have it on good authority from Perry himself that the first ever reggae tune was Larry Marshall's Nanny Goat hit from 1968. Apparently one of the musicians in Dodd's studio started playing on the offbeat, using an amplifier with a delay on the chopped guitar, and - voilà! - reggae was born.
Jamaica's influence on the musical world, from ska to sound systems, roots to dub and the digital dancehall of the early '80s, is out of proportion to the Caribbean island's tiny size and population. And while reggae's heyday has passed, the genre's legacy lives on in the sub-bass vibrations of dubstep and fostered by global stars like Germany's Gentleman. Yet reggae is an enduring folk music, its universally powerful themes of black emancipation and spiritual awareness as relevant now as ever." Adrian Sherwood
Essential
Bob Marley
Songs Of Freedom
Tuff Gong/ Island, 1992
Thirty years on from his death and Bob Marley is still ubiquitous, thanks to an untouchable back catalogue. This definitive four-disc boxset begins with his first song, Judge Not, and ends with a staggering live version of Redemption Song from his last gig in 1980. Genius.
Download: Rat Race
Burning Spear
Presenting Burning Spear
Studio One, 1973
The early recordings which Winston Rodney made at Clement Dodd's studio are his best. Rodney's deep, quavering voice is a unique instrument, sounding like it's come from the beginning of time. Also the conscious lyrics pack a real emotional punch.
Download: Door Peep Shall Not Enter
The Abyssinians
Satta Massagana
Heartbeat, 2007
This digitalised version of the close-harmony trio's debut is a genuine masterpiece. Deep, devotional and spiritually uplifting, the title track is so potent it got namechecked on The Clash's Jimmy Jazz and is Jamaica's unofficial Rasta national anthem.
Download: Satta Massagana
Recommended
Little Roy
Tafari Earth Uprising
Pressure Sounds, 1998
Despite Marley being a big fan of Earl 'Little Roy' Lowe, he remains a little-known and under-recorded roots singer. Tafari... gathers together his finest '70s work, cuts such as Tribal War and Prophecy showcasing Lowe's gift for melody, power and emotion.
Download: Tribal War
Gregoru Issacs
Extra Classic
Rohit, 1977
The 'Cool Ruler''s most essential collection of 45s for producers including Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke, Lloyd Campbell, Sidney Crooks, himself and Lee Perry. The latter's Mr Cop, with Isaacs's heartfelt plea for the Jamaican constabulary to 'cool down', is as good as it gets.
Download: Mr Cop
Israel Vibration
The Same Song
Pressure Sounds, 2007
Cecil 'Skeleton' Spence, Albert 'Apple Gabriel' Craig and Lascelle 'Wiss' Bulgin overcame the tribulations of being polio sufferers to create this startling debut in 1978. The roots trio's unique harmonies - all sung in delay - give off so much warmth you can almost feel it.
Download: The Same Song
For the connoisseur
Joe Higgs
Life Of Contradiction
Pressure Sounds, 2008
Originally released in 1975, this brilliant, jazz-influenced set sounded unlike anything else from the era. It's very soulful and melodic but also boasts some unusual chord changes. Anyone who thinks reggae is uncomplicated music should check this out.
Download: Life Of Contradiction
Augustus Pablo
Ital Dub
Trojan, 1975
An overlooked Pablo classic. Mixed by King Tubby with rhythms produced by Tommy Cowan for Jacob Miller, there's fine dub versions of Marley's Rebel Music and Junior Byles's immortal Curly Locks. His melodica lends itself perfectly to the minor chords.
Download: Curly Dub
11:13 AM | 27/12/2011
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