Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broad sense to refer to most types of popular Jamaican dance music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that was strongly influenced by traditional mento and calypso music, as well as American jazz and rhythm and blues, especially the New Orleans R&B practiced by Fats Domino and Allen Toussaint, and evolved out of the earlier genres ska and rocksteady. Stylistically, reggae incorporates some of the musical elements of rhythm and blues, jazz, mento (a celebratory, rural folk form that served its largely rural audience as dance music and an alternative to the hymns and adapted chanteys of local church singing), calypso, African music, as well as other genres. One of the most easily recognizable elements is offbeat rhythms; staccato chords played by a guitar or piano (or both) on the offbeats of the measure. |
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The bass guitar often plays the dominant role in reggae. The bass sound in reggae is thick and heavy, and equalized so the upper frequencies are removed and the lower frequencies emphasized. The guitar in reggae usually plays on the off beat of the rhythm. It is common for reggae to be sung in Jamaican Patois, Jamaican English, and lyaric dialects. Reggae is noted for its tradition of social criticism and religion in its lyrics, although many reggae songs discuss lighter, more personal subjects, such as love and socializing. Reggae has spread to many countries across the world, often incorporating local instruments and fusing with other genres. Reggae en Español spread from mainland South American Caribbean from Venezuela and Guyana to the rest of South America. Caribbean music in the UK, including reggae, has been popular since the late 1960s, and has evolved into several subgenres and fusions. Many reggae artists began their careers in the UK, and there have been a number of European artists and bands drawing their inspiration directly from Jamaica and the Caribbean community in Europe. |
Junior Byles - Curly LocksJunior Byles - (1975) Roots reggae "Promo" copy, with dub version performed by The Upsetters. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Buffalo SoldierBob Marley & the Wailers - (1983) Recorded in 1978, but not released until 1983, from his posthumous album "Confrontation". - (with original picture sleeve). can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Various Artists - Trojan Explosion EPVarious Artists - (1979) Maxi Trojan re-issue EP, features The Pioneers, Desmond Dekker, Dave & Ansel Collins and Dandy Livingstone. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
M.J. Dorane - If I Were a CarpenterM.J. Dorane - (1972) Promotional copy of self produced single - a rocksteady cover version of the song originally released by The Four Tops in 1968. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Jimmy Cliff - Wild WorldJimmy Cliff - (1970) Reggae cover version of the Cat Stevens penned/produced classic, in excellent condition. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Special AKA - GangstersThe Special AKA - (1979) Debut single from the Coventry based ska revival band, with the label mates The Selecter on the flip-side. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Madness - The PrinceMadness - (1979) The Camden based ska revival band's debut single, a tribute to the Jamaican ska singer Prince Buster. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Beat - Tears of a Clown / Ranking Full StopThe Beat - (1979) Double A side with "Ranking Full Stop", the Birmingham based ska revival band's debut release. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Selecter - On My RadioThe Selecter - (1979) UK Top-10 chart hit from the ska revival band, with "Too Much Pressure" on the flip side. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Selecter - Missing WordsThe Selecter - (1980) Track written by band member and guitarist Noel Davies. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Specials - StereotypeThe Specials - (1980) One of seven consecutive UK Top 10 singles for the Coventry based ska revival band, peaking at #6, (uncharted in the U.S.). can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Specials - Do NothingThe Specials - (1980) Taken from their album, "More Specials", with original laminated flipback picture sleeve - Stunning! can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Selecter - Three Minute HeroThe Selecter - (1980) Taken from their debut studio album, "Too Much Pressure", a UK Top-20 hit peaking at #16. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Bodysnatchers - Let's Do Rock SteadyThe Bodysnatchers - (1080) Double A sided debut single, from the seven piece all-female ska revival band, originally formed in London. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Dorrine Sinclair - Back in My ArmsDorrine Sinclair - (1977) Lovers rock rarity, her only release on Trojan Horse, in it's original company birth sleeve. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Althia & Donna - Up Town Top RankingAlthia & Donna - (1977) The youngest female duo to reach the number 1 place on the UK chart, ad-libbing to the deejay track "Three Piece Suit" by Trinity. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Dennis Brown - Money in my Pocket (Pt. 1)Dennis Brown - (LIG 554) Brown's lovers rock, breakthrough top-20 hit in the UK, in stunning EX+ condition. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Barry Biggs - Work All DayBarry Biggs - (1976) Biggs' international breakthrough hit, with the correct B-side "Play All Night" performed by The Dynamites. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Dave & Ansel Collins - Monkey SpannerDave & Ansel Collins - (1971) The follow-up release to the highly successful "Double Barrel" - a UK top 10 single peaking at #7. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Jimmy Cliff - Wonderful World, Beautiful PeopleJimmy Cliff - (1969) Clean British pressing of Jimmy Cliff reggae classic - a top 10 UK single, peaking at #6. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Bob Marley & the Wailers - ExodusBob Marley - (1977) Stunning EX+ example of single, taken from the album of the same name, in it's original company birth sleeve. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Is This LoveBob Marley & the Wailers - (1978) UK Top-10 hit, taken from the album "Kaya". can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Chaka Demus & Pliers With Jack Radics & Taxi Gang - Twist and ShoutChaka Demus & Pliers - (1993) UK chart-topping reggae cover version of the song originally released by the Top Notes. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Special A.K.A. - Too Much Too Young - The Special A.K.A. Live!The Special A.K.A. - (1980) Live EP recorded at The Lyceum, London and Tiffany's, Coventry. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Greyhound - Moon RiverGreyhound - (1971) Reggae cover version of the Henry Mancini song, peaking at #12 in the UK singles chart. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Bodysnatchers - Too ExperiencedThe Bodysnatchers - (1980) Double A-sided single, the second of three releases from the seven piece all female ska revival band. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Special A.K.A. - Nelson MandelaThe Special A.K.A. - (1984) The original 1984 pressing, (CHS TT 26) protest song, otherwise known as "Free Nelson Mandela". can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
The Beat - Hand's Off, She's Mine / Twist and CrawlThe Beat - (1980) UK singles Top-10 hit, (UK #9, U.S. Dance #22), released as a Double A sided feature with "Twist and Crawl". can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Nicky Thomas - Images of YouNicky Thomas - (1973) Promotional copy of single taken from the album of the same name, in EX+/EX+ condition. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
Third World - Now That We've Found LoveThird World - (1978) Stunning EX+/EX+ original 1978 1st press 7" single with picture sleeve, a reggae-disco cover version of the Gamble/Huff song first recorded by The O'Jays in 1973. can be shipped within 1-3 working days |
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