New to Reggae

[star]

Here are a few highly recommended albums

1 - Greensleeves 12" Rulers: Henry Junjo Lawes

Various Artists in the Channel One Rub A Dub style which is like the production on Scientist Rids the World and Fire House Rock. Each song is in a 12" mix which means a dub version by scientist comes in during the second half after the vocals. This will get you familiar with other artists during that era.

2 - Wailing Souls - Most Wanted: Classic Cuts

Same Channel One era same 12" style different tracks. The only song that doesn't have a dub is Fire House Rock, but the previous album I mentioned has Fire House Rock with the dub version. If you haven't heard the 12" of Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall buy this album and you will be amazed.

3 - Culture - Lion Rock
4 - Culture - International Herb

In my opinion both are far better musically and production-wise than Two Sevens Clash.

[Geo Dude]

Thanks for the tips. I'm still working on getting my head around 12" singles and all that jazz. Meanwhile, I decided to search on YouTube for that Kingdom Rise Kingdom Fall 12" and the dub is indeed pretty impressive. I'll be giving "International Herb" a listen soon.

[clash77]

Hi, havent listen to a lot of reggae over the years but more the latest mouths and a record I heard that my friend used to play a lot is Dr Alimantado. best dressed chicken in town. maybe it could be something you like too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBBJ53Ih-nQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7pxHI7t ... re=related

[Digikal]

Check out King Tubbys sound clash in a Dub plate style..VERY good...

[vtov]

as mentioned, if you like the Wailing Souls then definitely pick up the Greensleeves / Channel One material.

You're getting the early Spear and Pablo stuff so that's good too.

Much great reggae is not based around album releases by individual singers or groups, so I also recommend some of the various artist compilations on Pressure Sounds, Heartbeat and Blood and Fire. (Or anything on those labels is worth checking.)

[babaluma1]

Some of my favourites:

Burning Spear - Dry and Heavy
More jazzy and deep than Marcus Garvey, well named!

Horace Andy - Dancehall Style
Make at Wackies in New York, some great tunes and a very heavy atmosphere. Long songs that really get into your head, I think his best album.

Keith Hudson - Entering the Dragon
Strange mix of tunes, instrumentals and dub. Runs to 30 tracks on Trojan's reissue! While Hudson's voice is an acquired taste he is a great producer and dub artists so this makes a great mix of styles. He was also into his RnB and funk so there is a nice fusion here.

Gregory Isaacs - Soon Forward
My favourite by Isaacs, great Sly & Robbie grooves and his best mix of hard roots with his silky voice. Universal Tribulation is worth the price alone.

Arkology or I Am The Upsetter box sets- Lee Perry
3 CD and 4 CD box sets. Each amazing and amazing value for money. The first is more a greatest hits with his productions and dubs for Max Romeo and The Heptones. The second is more of The Upsetter's instrumentals and a bit quirkier, maybe more fun overall as less familiar.

The Congos - Heart of the Congos
100% classic, get the 2 disk Blood and Fire version. Lee Perry's classic production, just get it!

Scientist - his albums I listen to mostly include:
Heavyweight Dub Champion
Big Showdown at King Tubby's (with Prince Jammy)
Scientist Wins the World Cup
Maybe a bit pricey now but you can probably blogspot them.

King Tubby - Father of Dub, 3 cds for about £5, no liner notes but all quality if you want a taste

Some of his more obscure but maybe best albums for me are:

Meets Jacob Miller In A Tenement Yard
Harry Mudie Meet King Tubby In Dub Conference Vol. 1
The Legendary Skatalites in Dub - The Skatalites Meet King Tubby
King Tubby Meets The Aggrovators at Dub Station
Evolution Of Dub Volume 1 (The Origin Of The Species), includes two excellent early Tubby albums.

Happy listening!