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If you love reggae use reggae reviews as a source of information on albums and artists. Covering sub-genres including, roots reggae, rockers, lovers, dancehall albums, dub and more.
reggae music
old school and new
I will be updating regularly with reviews on reggae music from years gone by, right up to new releases. If you have ever bought a CD only to get home and find out you don't like it, then we here to help you filter out the CDs you do not like.
Listen before you buy
stay in touch
You can listen to clips from the albums, read about the artists and thier music before you buy, stay in touch with the latest releases. All the reviews will be based in my own opinion from albums that I own.
Latest releases
discover new artists
If you are new to reggae music, you can use this site as a guide to finding new artists when looking for music for your collection, all you need do is stop by and have a listen. If you are not new then you still may find albums here that you have not yet discovered.
News and Events
what's New
Lee Perry Movie
the Upsetter
A new movie has been made charting the life of Lee Perry for more information follow this link The Upsetter. Perry is a highly inventive artist who and is one of the original producers of dub. If you like dub then
check out his albums and pay a visit to his official website and listen to the long track when you arrive on his home page.
Culture
behold Live
Watch the video of original roots singer songwriter, the great Joseph Hill aka Culture, performing Behold live.
Etana - Blessings feat. Alborosie
new video
Queen Ifrica - Times Like These
official video
Origins
how it began
Reggae is based on a rhythm which accentuates the off beat , and is usually slower than ska and rocksteady. Reggae usually accents the second and fourth beat in each bar, with the rhythm guitar either emphasizing the third beat or holding the chord on the second beat until the fourth is played. It is mainly this "third beat", its speed, and the use of intricate bass lines that distinguished reggae from rocksteady.
Ska emerged in the studios of Jamaica around 1959; it was developed from the earlier mento. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line, accentuated guitar or piano rhythms on the offbeat, and some jazzy horn riffs; it was a popular style with Mods in Britain in the 60s. Rude boys began deliberately playing their ska records at half speed, preferring to dance slower as part of their tough image. By the mid-1960s, numerous musicians had started to slow down the tempo of ska, and began placing emphasis on the walking bass lines and off beats. This slower rhythm was called rocksteady. This stage of Jamaican music lasted until 1968, when musicians began to speed up the tempo again, and added more effects. And so was born reggae.
Classic Albums on CD and Vinyl
new Releases
Great news for reggae fans. Two new record labels have been set up to release classic music on CD and the Vinyl, so if you missed something first time around you will get another chance to add some classic sounds to your collection. Sunrise Records will release CD’s while Sunspot Records will release Vinyl LP’s.
The first release for the Sun Spot label is a must have limited edition issue of the classic Gussie presenting I Roy on LP, which is due for release on 28th Feb. I will be reviewing this album shortly.
Soon to be released on the the Sun Rise label are two great CD’s, Looking Back - Jamaican Chart Hits of 1958 & 1959 and Easy Snapping - Jamaican Chart Hits of 1960, which is due for release on 14th Feb.
It is so good to see someone is keeping classic reggae alive. I will keep you updated on future releases from Sunspot and Sunrise.
Sticky Thompson
livin' it Up
Uziah Sticky Thompson is one of roots leading percussionists, and has performed with most of the top artists. I just got to share this track around. Check this video from the DVD Livin' it Up.
