Roots Archives Forum

Going to JA in a few weeks. Was looking for a good book today to read while there and wonder if anyone knows of any good Jamaican authors whose books you can find in mainstream book stores.

i dotn knwo any good Novelists from Jamaica. but there are plenty of interesting books on reggae, rasta, society, culture etc to be found in Jamaican bookstores.

for instance:

Born Fi' Dead : A Journey Through The Jamaican Posse Underworld by Laurie Gunst
Shower Posse: The Most Notorious Jamaican Crime Organization by Duane Blake

Maybe you should reconsider........things are "sipple out there", at present.
You could try searching for People Funny Boy, or Solid Foundation (by David Katz); Bass Culture, (by Lloyd Bradley); The Dead Yard, (by Ian Thomson); or Born Fi Dead, (by Laurie Gunst). The first three relate to the music, while the latter two deal with the state that the island is now in. All are excellent, in my opinion. Rather than trawl bookshops, you would better getting them through Amazon. Finally, a question of my own. Can anyone identify the three people on the cover of Solid Foundation? It's possibly the second edition, with the dj, selctor and an onlooker (who looks remarkably like a young Leroy Sibbles) on it.

hmm, i would recommend anyone to go to a Jamaican bookstore over amazon. spend your money where it's most needed!

as for the picture, you mean the photo that inspired this sleeve?

[cover=2639,3043]

its Sir Coxsone Outernational in session.
on the pic it's the mighty Festus dropping the needle , Blacka Dread with the big spliff in the left back (i think the solid foundation cover cut him off)
And i am not a 100% sure but i believe the mc is Bikey Dread.

the one you identified as L. Sibblis i dont know, deffinatel not Sir coxsoen himself. maybe just a Brixton yute??

Thanks for the info, Jumbo. It's a great photo and I love the look of concentration on Festus as he drops the needle. I have King Of The Dub Rock, Parts 1 & 2, but never made the connection. I agree, support your local bookshop, but that's not always feasable.

Arkle wrote:Thanks for the info, Jumbo. It's a great photo and I love the look of concentration on Festus as he drops the needle. I have King Of The Dub Rock, Parts 1 & 2, but never made the connection. I agree, support your local bookshop, but that's not always feasable.

haha that concentraded look is also because Festus is a little bit crosseyed..

Love it, Jumbo!