Lol...you're off to a good start. If you're into roots-style reggae, definitely check out Everton Blender, Black Uhuru, The Meditations, and Bunny Wailer. Also, John Brown's Body is awesome...great albums and amazing live shows.

Alright, cool. I'll check them out. Thanks. :thumb:

Glad to help. Have fun listening!

Joe, what are your thoughts on Steel Pulse, if you listen to them

It seems to me that for a little while in the 80s? their sound got very electronic sounding, such as on the Babylon the Bandit album.

I listened to their newest cd (I think, its the one that got all the awards) in a music store, and it sounded like they went back to more roots style reggae, I was impressed.

And I agree, I am in love with reggae, and I did start listening to Marley first, and now im branching out to listen to other artists such as Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Culture, Misty In Roots, Perry and such, but I find it hard to find more artists and bands to listen to.

Steel Pulse are awesome...I discovered them back in the early '90's, and since I was pretty much all roots and culture reggae at that point, their rockers approach helped set them apart in terms of music. David Hinds is, I still think, extremely under-rated as a songwriter, and despite the rockers tone, they've kept the message pretty strong. Good songs especially are "1865 (96 Degrees In the Shade)," "Handsworth Revolution," "Islands Unite," and "Nyabinghi Voyage."

I tend to think that they sound better live than in the studio, so check out any live recordings of theirs that you can.

Peace and respecx...

Quick question...

In terms of reggae classification

stuff like Tosh, Burning Spear, the Wailers would be considered roots reggae, correct?

stuff like Gregory Isaacs is lovers reggae?

im still not sure what rockers reggae is. can you specify that at all?

Yup. Roots and culture tends to have more emphasis on the message in the music, usually focusing on Rastafari, social issues, or similar themes. Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, some of The Meditations, Jacob Miller and Inner Circle, Culture, most Black Uhuru, Everton Blender, Israel Vibration, Burning Spear, and others are examples of roots (although Everton has some dancehall flavor to his music, and The Meditations also do some lovers' rock).

Lovers', like you mentioned, is more soul/R and B based in terms of romantic themes. Gregory Isaacs, some Dennis Brown, some Meditations, Freddie McGregor, and a few others I can't think of are examples of this.

Rockers' has more emphasis on a rock sound in delivery of the music, especially in terms of tempo, soloing, and riddims that aren't as laid back. Steel Pulse, Mystic Revealers, most of John Brown's Body, Rising Lion, and even Ziggy Marley (to me, at least) could be considered from the rockers' camp.

Of course, all the groups I mentioned don't always follow the breakdown I gave, but hopefully it'll help in terms of recognizing different aspects of reggae.

Happy listening...:D

thanks man!

definately helping clear everything up.

now its time to go to FYE or some other music store and go hunting for new bands!

Happy hunting...:afro:

Good explanations Joe - I'm a roots guy myself - that is, I prefer roots to any of the other styles. I do like Dennis Brown, Beres Hammond etc though. Some other roots style artists to check out - (and based on your knowledge displyed, you probably know of these guys) - Lucky Dube, Eek-A-Mouse, Alpha Blondy - although Mouse is more than a little strange.
Suggestion to anyone confused about Bob Marley's legacy and his musical messages - read the bio "Catch A Fire" - it will open your eyes.