View Full Version : Are There Any Reggae/Dub Fans Here ??
TheSheik
12 Jul 2002, 11:34
Over the past 3-4 months I have been looking into the world of reggae music and pleasantly found out there was a lot more to it than just Bob Marley or Peter Tosh. In fact reggae has a long history of exciting artists and there are a lot of mutations of the form that most people would not be readily aware of. Some people will no doubt say they have their copies of Marley's "Legend" & Tosh's "Legalize It" and that is about as much as they can be bothered with.
For those interested to seek out some more, a couple of good ones to try are "Select Cuts From Blood & Fire" which is a compilations of artists and producers from the legendary Blood & Fire label. It is full of some of the best modern sampling, loops & dub around and will be a huge surprise to many, in fact you will struggle to believe that most of it is in fact reggae.
Another to try out is from local outfit Salmonella Dub - "Inside The Dub Plates". Really terrific album full of upbeat classy modern dub, if you like Thievery Corporation, this might just appeal to you.
For a bit of a blast from the past, try "The Keyboard King At Studio One" by Jackie Mittoo. You don't have to take my word for it, here is what the sticker on the cover has to say about the album :
"CD of the Week. The coolest man who ever lived" - THE GUARDIAN
"Named by Mojo as one of the 100 cult heroes of all time, this is a lovingly curated compilation" - INDEPENDENT
"After Soul jazz Records' groundbreaking 100% Dynamite CD's comes Jackie Mittoo. If you've caught the funky reggae bug, you need this" - MUZIK
"Rocksteady, compulsively funky Ska and Soul. An excellent Soul Jazz compilation" - MOJO
Do yourself a favour ????
clucas91
12 Jul 2002, 11:37
I don't mind it, some of it can get annoying.
You've lost me.
My knowledge of Reggae doesn't extend much past the Wailers and Peter Tosh.. unless I am allowed to count UB40 and The Police!
What about Shaggy?
S.J Rollin
12 Jul 2002, 12:57
and Bobby Ferrin?
Seriously though... I like it. Especially the newer electro-funky type... the Toasting that goes on over some Leftfields work is what got me interested in it. The collaborators they bought in for "Leftism" to rap over the top of their tunes is great. The track "Inspection-Check One" has a bloke called Danny Red toasting away and it sounds wicked.
I have tried looking for more stuff like it but I aint entirely sure (ie: which sub-genre) where i am supposed to be looking.
TheSheik
12 Jul 2002, 18:58
UB40 and The Police ?? I think they are classed as 'white mans' reggae. Whilst the purists will turn their noses up, I like them both.
What about Shaggy ? More of a rap artist I would have thought.
If you are genuinely interested in finding out some more 'SJ', try picking up a copy of "The Rough Guide To Reggae" which normally sells for around $25-30. You will find everything you need to know about reggae there plus a bucketload of stuff you don't need to know. It's more like a history lesson but thoroughly enjoyable, plus it has lots of album reviews to help you out.
S.J Rollin
15 Jul 2002, 19:07
"Last Night a DJ saved my life" was the last music orientated book I read which dedicates a chapter or two to the Jamaicans and their mobile sound systems and the manufacture of dub plates as one of the sources of the modern deck to deck with MC set up. (Ironically they called the DJ the "Selecta" and the MC the "dee-jay")
So I guess it is not so much the reggae / ska bands that I am looking for on the net... but instead that Jamaican or UK sound where the dee-jay is toasting over the top of an electronic sound in some half English half African dialect.
The Hitman
15 Jul 2002, 19:13
Does Michael Franti and Ben Harper count? If so, I am a fan. :)
The Hitman
I like the Mad Professor, he toured Melbourne a few years ago, and a few years before that. He's cool, kind of a live-dub-dj. He mixes and produces his music each time he plays live, with live vocalists.
Also saw Lee Scratch Perry at the Corner Hotel in 2000 (I think) and he was well wicked! I think that was the most pot smoke filled room I've ever been in (and that's saying something) but although he's 70 or something, the music was riveting.
Shout Out and Massive Respect to Bob and Peter. Booyakasha! :cool:
Briedis
16 Jul 2002, 16:34
I love Bob Marley. I have almost all of his records so I have never needed to buy "Legend". But, if anyone is wanting to get into some great Marley tracks that aren't the big hits definately "Natural Mystic" is a worthwhile purchase.
The Barrett brothers were one of the all-time great rhythm sections in my humble opinion.... I love the "Family Man", one groovy mother ****er!
TheSheik
16 Jul 2002, 20:29
Briedis, for your info, all of the material on 'Natural Mystic' appears on the excellent 4CD set 'Songs Of Freedom'. Everything on 'Legend' appears on it too apart from 'Buffalo Soldier' strangely enough. I would strongly recommend 'S.O.F.' to anyone wanting to get a Marley compilation, its got everything you could possibly want plus more. And at around $75, its well priced too considering those other two comps will set you back $55-60 !!
S.J Rollin
17 Jul 2002, 11:49
"Kaya" is a nice CD to listen to as well... has a few beauties like Easy Skanking, Kaya and Sun is Shining to get you into the swing of things. I would probably play it more than "Legend" which is the only other hard copy of reggae music I posses.
Briedis
17 Jul 2002, 13:44
Originally posted by S.J Rollin
"Kaya" is a nice CD to listen to as well... has a few beauties like Easy Skanking, Kaya and Sun is Shining to get you into the swing of things. I would probably play it more than "Legend" which is the only other hard copy of reggae music I posses.
That is a great CD. I love "Sun is Shining", it is so dark for a reggae song. Don't forget "Is This Love" is on this CD, which is a Marley classic. Any bass players out there - have you tried to get this song down? Sounds simple enough at first, but getting the timings of things correct can be a bit tricky!
I haven't been able to get that song "Satisfy My Soul" out of my head all week ...
The greatest thing about Bob is the quality of his lyrics. So many times I have been sitting there listening to the words and thinking to myself - "I really don't know why I didn't think about it like that before - it's so simple". He has an uncanny ability to be very philosophical without sounding like an academic. A man of the people for sure.
SonOfScray
17 Jul 2002, 21:10
try "the race"- by the gladiators, great stuff.
cant go past the wailers IMO and as far as UB40 goes "white man can't reggae"
TheSheik
24 Jul 2002, 23:42
Originally posted by SonOfScray
try "the race"- by the gladiators, great stuff.
'Trenchtown Mix Up' is the album to get of their's apparently.
Originally posted by SonOfScray
and as far as UB40 goes "white man can't reggae"
That would certainly be the view of most purists !!