Best Ever Albums

Re: Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

Jimmy Dread — Mon, 24 May 2021 12:55:54 GMT

Author: Jimmy Dread

Posted: 05/24/2021 16:55

Jumping in here to say to impart some sage-like advice to Seb, who I must say has a pretty awesome overall Top 5.

Mate - you're obviously a soul fan. Instead of going straight to the dancehall (although Nancy, Doc Alimantado and Tenor Saw are all ace), and given what you already like, take time to check out the many wonderful vocal harmony groups that JA has given us. Toots is a given (especially Funky Kingston and - somewhat ironically - Reggae Got Soul), but also work your way through the likes of Culture's Two Sevens Clash, Right Time by the Mighty Diamonds and Trenchtown Mix Up by The Gladiators, all of which I think you'll dig.

From there... either head in a rootsy direction (so Burning Spear's Marcus Garvey or Satta Massagana by the Abyssinians), stumble over Perry's Black Ark productions (War In A Babylon, Police & Thieves) or go straight for the motherload by checking out one of a plethora of fine records from Studio One. Two of them are in my overall Top 20 (On Top and Truths and Rights) - both stellar sets.

Then grab yourself a 6-pack of Red Stripe and go nuts.

Final word - you'll notice Heart of The Congos tops both the charts you've been recommended. There's a good reason.

ALSO - 'reggae' is a singles-based genre primarily. Blackwell/Island watered down Marley, who's more AOR really. Therefore two essential compilations that would serve you as a better launchpad for further discoveries:

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100% Dynamite! by Various Artists

Re: Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

Hayden — Mon, 17 May 2021 15:02:41 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 05/17/2021 19:02

seb7 wrote:

Wonderful!

Hope you find some stuff on their seb7. If what you posted is your reference point, I'd rec you start with acts like Toots & The Maytals, Dr. Alimantado, Tenor Saw, and Sister Nancy. Then maybe dive into more dub-heavy artists afterwards.

EDIT: And thanks for the props on the Maple Syrup chart 😜

Re: Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

seb7 — Mon, 17 May 2021 14:40:27 GMT

Author: seb7

Posted: 05/17/2021 18:40

Wonderful!

Re: Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

kokkinos — Mon, 17 May 2021 14:35:18 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 05/17/2021 18:35

The above post should have you covered for quite some time, not much to add when it comes to staight reggae.
So, in all likelihood it's not what you are looking for, but I'm gonna drop this anyhow, just in case you want to see how UK hip hop meets reggae sounds like. For real, though, it's a great album.

London Posse - Gangster Chronicle

Re: Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

Hayden — Mon, 17 May 2021 12:49:14 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 05/17/2021 16:49

Mannish Water by Hayden

(Call it) Reggae (if you must) by Jimmy Dread

Just pick like... 50 off those (particularly the ones that overlap).

Hello All! Give me your best Reggae Recs.

seb7 — Mon, 17 May 2021 12:21:24 GMT

Author: seb7

Posted: 05/17/2021 16:21

I love reggae, but don't know how to get passed the wall of my small knowledge. I love Marley, know of Third world, Black Uhuru, and the Babylon warriors as well as that I own a Sly and Robbie record. Besides those few records, I know jack squat. If you see this, drop a reggae recommendation!