Reggae Music

I have enjoyed listening to Reggae music for years, starting - as most people do - with Bob Marley and the Wailers, and then graduating to other forms of Roots Reggae. I then discovered the sonic joys of Dub Reggae, and I have continued to find new artists and styles within this genre.

Like other musical styles, Reggae can seem confusing to the newcomer. I warmly recommend Lloyd Bradley's book Bass Culture, as a guide to the history of the music and the people involved in it (Available at Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com).

One aspect of Reggae that can seem confusing to those more at home with rock and pop music is the version. Many different versions of the same tune are released by different artists. Furthermore, many different tracks will use the same basic music (called a 'riddim') but have different vocals applied to them. For example Althea and Donna's hit "Uptown Top Ranking" uses the riddim from Marcia Aitken's version of Alton Ellis' "I'm Still In Love".

The ReggaeID web site is an excellent source of information on the genre, giving details of artists, their songs, and what riddims were used.

Reggae music has so many varieties that there is bound to be one that you will like, whether it be Lover's Rock or Toasting.