which highly rated reggae artists don't really do that much for you?

[Quemster]

I think one needs to be very careful here. There have been many artist's work that I didn't care for much until I found their good stuff.

I dont listen to Bob Marley much anymore but I wouldn't say he is overrated or commercial.

[ACEtone]

...yes, being careful here...I generally won't sound off on a singer negatively until I'm convinced I've heard enough to know. I've had the same experience where it was my own lack of exposure that lead me to draw the wrong conclusion and I have to come to like a lot of music I didn't initially care for...always willing to admit that I was wrong - or as I've said on a few occasions - I wasn't ready!

I am relieved that there a good number of people who share my lack of enthusiasm (to put it mildly!) for Bob Marley.

I am not alone!
Just don't like his voice. Simple as that.

True, most of Lee Perry's vocal efforts are cringe inducing to me but there are a few that I have a soft spot for where he is at his vocal best such as Roast Fish and Cornbread, Throw Some Water In, You Crummy, People Funny...that kind of thing

His voice is often best employed with occasional phrasal interjections on instrumentals/dubs - but -
Much of Kung Fu Meets the Dragon is excellent musically but often severely compromised by LPs burps grunts and other oral naughty noises!

And, surely his skills in the vocal area were least obvious but most important in his vocal coaching of various excellent singers.

Gregory Isaacs. What little I've heard of his output in the past 20+ years I haven't cared for, but that applies to much of the music. However he was consistently excellent for most of the 70s and that is good enough for me.

Did I mention the Heptones? They have very limited appeal for me vocally. But Leroy Sibbles on bass? Great player and consequently he gets a free pass from me. I'm sure he's relieved!

I think this is a good topic. I've come across the attitude that any negativity express about JA music is tantamount to heresy, but that is just plain silly. It is good for people who love this kind of music in general to express reservations about certain artists. Who knows, a little coaxing might convince some to listen to other things by an artist they don't much like and actually come to like it. It really shows that there is actually a huge amount of diversity in JA music that appeals to different tastes and sensibilities. I really don't think anyone here is trying to convince anyone else that such and such is crap - he is isn't he - go on admit it. Not at all!

I'll put it this way: I would be much happier 'putting up with' listening to non stop Bob Marley than any current 'pop' I can think of. The style of music is something I love, the artist...well...

And, in conclusion. I am at times exasperated by this notion of being positive about things regardless, because any form of negativity is regarded by 'society' as unhealthy. Anyone who has kids in US, UK, Europe (Aus, NZ?) will probably be familiar with this nonsense. What happens to the development of a discerning mind when the critical faculties are constantly thwarted by right on, pc thought police? Some things are actually provably good or bad - others a matter of opinion...

Of the many reasons I like Reggae so much regardless of the artist - telling it like it is - no sugar coating of reality - encouraging questioning of government/society etc.
the 'happy music' marketing strategy has been a disservice to all involved artistically - though a lot of money has been made on this basis and probably not by the people who deserved it most...

OK, I'm finished now!

[mr mountain]

you've seen FAR I?
wow! what year and venue?

[ACEtone]

@Leggo respect for your new found love of the man Ken Boothe. I just don't go for the voice. There's a few things by him I like mostly for the backing or over all sound of the track, but he's not my kind of voice. i'll keep my ears open though.
Share a couple of killer tracks and who knows, that epiphany may happen. He pushes too hard and does that eeeeeeeee thing in his nose I cringe at, to be blunt. Heptones do it too, actually.

I never wrote off falsettos. That was someone else.
I never 'brush aside' - how dare you paint me with that brush

I do tend to favour the tenor and baritone and I do tend to think that falsetto as solo voice is frankly a foolish gamble - but I do not discount it at all. Generally I just don't need to listen to too much falsetto.

I'm sure on a good day Myton can be marvelous, just think he sounded better under LP's tutelage and with Roy and Watty backing. When I hear something that matches that (never probably...) I'll write you a postcard.

[Red Eyes]

in small doses: Eek a mouse.
Also Bim Sherman, Dennis Bovell, Gladiators, Abysinnians, Junior Reid, Freddie McKay, Dennis Alcapone, U Roy, Peter Tosh, Rod Taylor, Trinity, Bob Andy's "Songbook" (but mostly because of the sound), Michael Prophet, Lee Perry's organ tunes.

Disagree with Bob Marley, Ken Boothe, african reggae, Black Uhuru.
Delroy Wilson has a few good things here and there.

I'll get me coat.

[super ape]

i personally never have been a big fan of gregory isaacs, i don't know why. i have not given enough listens, though, since what i had first heard didn't do it for me.

in general, i am not a big fan of the "love song" style that many singers use as their markers.
so that can possibly limit my personal tastes with many singers, but hey that is just me and doesn't mean that those that sing mostly love songs don't have good voices.

[diegol]

bob marley
gregory isaacs
dennis brown
congos
denis bovell
wackies
aggrovators
LKJ
bunny wailer
Rico Rodriguez
inner circle

[Red Eyes]

Oh yeah, and Jacob Miller

[ital kemar]

jimmy cliff, third world, in crowd, black uhuru, inner circle. i could listen to some songs from the above, but i dont see myself ever buying their music again. all part of the journey i suppose. and john holt and michael rose as solo artists too.

ital kemar

[stepping razor]

That`s what`s so good about reggae, different styles of reggae. Not every artists every song is good, not every artists song is bad, every singer makes not so good tunes and makes really good ones.

A lot of the artists best tunes are not on LPs and are on 7 inch and 12`s, the best stuff is quite rare to find these days. Gregory Isaacs has made some really good heavy roots tunes and he`s also done more lovers tunes. Israel Vibrations best tunes are not on LPs but on 7"s.
As for the early reggae `68 - `74 they were very good at writing songs which have been covered in the pop scene Ken Boothe wrote a lot of famous songs that were covered from famous pop stars and also covered 60`s songs in a reggae style.

It all comes down to personal taste, but you have to have a wide knowledge of what`s been before, so i can`t answer the question posed. Except Amy Winehouse whose now a reggae artist going to Jamaica to cut some reggae tunes with reggae people.

peace