Roots Archives Forum

to a person who is new to reggae music? And who has only heard songs from their local radio station but doesn't really know what they were or who sang them but loved the sound of it.

Just name a couple that first come to mind. Legend and Night Nurse are ones that pop up in mine.

Hi Irie Vibes.

Thats a very open question. Are you are going to use peoples selected choices as a starting place for building a collection ?

It might help to give an some idea of what style of reggae you have been listening to ie vocal, toasting (DJ style), Dub or instramental.

I personally would suggest you invest in a few various artist compilations to start with as it will give you a feel for different vocal styles etc and you can then see who to investigate further.

This is what I would recommend, their is such a wide variety of choice in styles that what one person likes another might not.

You only have at some of the threads on this site to see how varied peoples tastes are.

I personally would browse the Pressure Sounds or Blood and Fire catalogues. They have some fantastic 70`s reggae that covers quite a wide spectrum.

You could also search on this site and look at the various artist compilations that are available. There are plenty around.

If you want me to select just one, I would say "The Best of Pablo Gad" its readily available and its awesome.

Hope this was helpful

Respect

Dave

Greeting "Irie Vibes",

I would recommend some proper roots reggae from the 70's such as:
- Israel Vibration - Same Song
- The Congos - Heart Of The Congos
- Abyssinians - Satta Massagana
- Burning Spear - Marcus Garvey
- Culture - Two Sevens Clash

and any albums from these artists.
Check out Peter Tosh albums and also Bob Marley's records on Island Records, they are a must (I am sure no one will disagree with me on that one).

Linval Thompson, Jacob Miller, Johnnie Clarke, Yabby You, Dennis Brown, Don Carlos, Horace Andy etc...are great to start with.

Hope this was the kind of answer you were looking for.

Blessed Love
Little One Selecta

Hello Rootsman.

Thank you for your response and yes it is helpful.

I realize it is an open question, but I was just curious what others on this website would recommend as an introduction to the majestic sound of reggae music. I am a long time listener and love all types of styles with roots being my favorite. As of late, I have been rotating Dub Landing 1 & 2, Africa Shall Stretch for Her Hand, Super Ape, Satta Massagana, Black Slavery Days, Microphone Attack, Earth & Stone, Live in Paris and The Foundation of Ska heavily upon my ears. A friend had asked me this very question, and I was going to recommend the aforementioned albums but I thought maybe Burning Spear and The Abyssinians would be too heavy for a new listener. So Legend and Night Nurse were actually the first ones that came to mind afterwards. And because I respect and admire the opinions of the people in this forum, I posted the question to see what would intially pop up on other peoples' minds.

I realize there is more to discover out there and I gotta thank the Most High for stumbling across this website for providing valuable "maps" to the treasure trove of reggae music.

Many Thanks & Praises.

p.s. - Excellent call on the Pable Gad!

Nice selections Little One Selecta! Thx!

Which Yabby You? I only have a couple of albums from him and I love them but I'm thinking they might be a little heavy for new ears. Then again I'll let my friend be the judge of that!

When listening to deep roots music for extended periods, one tends to make certain kind of progress, and ever heavier roots themes start to make sense, even if just a few months ago they might have sounded like crap. This is something that many listeners (myself included) tend to take for granted, and when they play out an obscure, heavy steppers tune (no matter how scorching ) for a layman in reggae's terms, they hardly ever get a positive reaction. It's not that random people hate deep roots music, they just can't stand listening to it In any case, "extra heavy and double Irie" is not for everyone, and certainly not for an inexperienced being.

I was introduced to reggae through some Bob Marley compilations. The first album that really made an impact was his "Natty Dread" (which would also be my number one recommendation for a newcomer to the genre). Other albums I enjoyed at the time were some local Finnish reggae albums, which were truly a familiar introduction, as the music was introduced to me through a language and culture I could relate to. Hence my second recommendation: play the newcomer reggae music in his / her own language.

One funny thing was, that when I started to search for information about reggae music and culture, I stumbled across some Black Ark tunes and laughed at them. I couldn't stand the singer's falsetto and the rhythms sounded completely insane. Now, if anyone has come across my picks in any of the "Favourite Albums/Songs/Whatever" threads, one can only guess that those things I used to laugh at back then are the same things I treasure today the most. Which is something useful to keep in mind when you're introducing reggae to a newcomer, and getting a very negative response out of playing your personal favourite tunes.

Also I remember ordering some albums which were heavily recommended to me from various sources. One of those albums was Black Uhuru's "Red" and when I finally got it, I didn't _get_ any of it. It surely wasn't reggae as I used to know it - sunny, relaxed and laid back - no, it was militant, aggressive and wailing. Back then it made me feel troubled and uneasy, so that album didn't get that much of rotation. Until, gradually, it started growing in. And yet again, today I find I treasure that album as a true roots gem.

So, remember to start easy off, people, don't scare them away before they even get started! Nevertheless, another thing to keep in mind is that _roots music is nothing for the weakheart_!!

Greetings "Irie Vibes",

When it comes to Yabby You, I would recommend "Jesus Dread" which is a sort of best of. It contains versions, dub, DJ-tunes with Big Youth, Trinity, Dillinger..
One of my favourite song is "Walls Of Jerusalem"...I also love "Run Come Rally". I think these songs are quite catchy (could sound good for someone who is new to reggae), and the lyrics are good once you get into it...I think.

What do you think?
Blessed Love
Little One Selecta

Johnny Osbourne in the rub a dub style is what did it for me. In Nah Disco Style, Never Stop Fighting are dangerous..

If you liked "Dub Landing," get the "Yabby U and Michael Prophet meet Scientist at Dub Station (King Tubbys)" a fairly priced CD which pops up often with different titles.
Here's some for your consideration:
"Party Time" or "Unreleased Night Food..." by the Heptones
"In the Light/In the Light Dub" Horace Andy
"Liberation" "Dub Factor" or "Best of" by Black Uhuru
"New Chapter in Dub" "New Chapter" "Live and Direct" by Aswad
"Across the Red Sea" Bim Sherman
"Cry Tuff Dub Encoutner 1,2,3" Prince Far I
"Dub to Africa" Prince Far I and the Arabs
"No Bones for the Dogs" compilation Pressure Sounds
"Live at Counter Eurovision 1979" Misty in Roots
"Lovers Rock" Love Joys
"Dub Roots" Prince Douglas
"Full Contact" Dry & Heavy

---best---

well if ur really a heavy roots listner try these:


black slate - sirens in the city
cultural roots - drift away from evil
cultural roots - hell a go pop
viceroys - we must unite
viceroys - chancery lane
viceroys - brethren n sistren
earth & stone - kool roots
mighty diamonds - indestructable
don carlos - day to day living
wailing souls - stranded
pablo gad - best of

i can keep on going but try these to start off