Roots Archives Forum

From the context of the term as used in many songs, a 'blues dance' is/was a reggae night at a club, right?

But where did that name for it come from? Just curious. Was it an old name (from when the blues was popular) that stuck?

The term probably comes from the Blues dance phenomenon as reggae had a lot of influence from the US dance culture. However blues dances or late night blues (as a term) were primarily a UK thing I think. I can't recall it being used as often in JA culture. It didn't necessarily have to be at a club or shubeen per se but it could just as well be a private arrangement in someone's house.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blues_dance

A blues dance was 90% of the time held in someone's home.

It comes from the Blaupunkt "Blue Spot" music system that early JA immigrants to the UK played their music on.

At a blues dance one could buy alcohol, Jamaican food home cooked and even acquire the services of several "ladies of the night" if they wished to do so. These things weren't available at some legal venues, especially not the ladies!

Most blues never really got going til around midnight and often kept going til 9am the next morning and even later in some cases.

G

Thanks for the info, fellas. Never would have guessed the association with the sound system on my own...