Bulldog and Jackhammer Present: Your Introduction To Reggae

Fender · 06-15-2009, 07:58 PM

The first time I listened to 96 degrees in the shade, I came in my pants. Great list guys. Keep them coming.

Engine · 06-15-2009, 09:08 PM

^ I didn't have that same..reaction but I did really like the song.

I love the entire selection, guys -- since I guess the Roots portion of the thread is over I have to mention another classic: Heart of the Congos by The Congos.

Bulldog · 06-16-2009, 03:26 AM

I guess you could define dancehall, lover's rock especially, as kind of reggae lite or something. The bare sub-genres themselves aren't really my favourites either, but it's when crossovers happen that things get really interesting.

That Congos one Engine mentioned is indeed a good 'un. Haven't heard it in a good year or so myself, so I'll have to dig it out a bit later.

jackhammer · 06-16-2009, 10:26 AM

Gregory Isaacs-Night Nurse (1982)

The loverman himself gave us a lover's rock classic in 1982 with Night Nurse. If anyone wants to know what lover's rock actually is then I just say listen to this album.

Isaacs himself along with bassist 'Flabba' Holt produced this album and it is played with aplomb by the classic Roots Radics band, Night Nurse peddles a sweet soul tilt with a little synthesiser work that weaves it's easy charms and is effortless on the ears. Isaacs spiritual leanings are emphasised in the lyrics along with the physical. For Isaacs love is both for body and soul and yet the album never comes across as sentimental or overly saccharine.

Seeed-Next! (2006)

Seeed are unique in many ways. They are multi racial, from Germany and peddle a hybrid of Reggae, Dancehall, Hip hop and multi lingual lyrics. They are also a humorous band and just seem to be having a blast. They are supposed to be brilliant live and there are around 9 members in the band.

What is so great about Next! is it's endless enthusiasm and feelgood factor. It also has true crossover appeal and many people who don't usually like Reggae could listen to this as entry level into the genre and find something that they like on the album. I found these on the net about 3 years and have converted many people to them as it's hard not to dislike them.

Bulldog · 06-16-2009, 11:38 AM

I have Extra Classic by Gregory Isaacs, but not Night Nurse. And that Seeed album's one I've been meaning to look for since the dawn of time. When I have the mental energy to I think I'll blogsearch 'em!

Awesome new avvy btw. Bub is the shizz

jackhammer · 06-16-2009, 02:15 PM

I have all the Seeed stuff so if you draw a blank just holler!

Bulldog · 06-17-2009, 12:28 PM

Here's the next batch then. Mixtape link for the roots list is on the way... maybe...

Yellowman - King Yellowman (1984)

Another one of the most influential and important figures to come out of the dancehall scene, Yellowman (born Winston Foster) was another sound system DJ to rise from the obscurity of the Jamaican music scene of the early 80s. His influence helped to spark off the ragga movement, which had a huge influence on the explosion in hip-hop's popularity which was just around the corner, with his hit single Zungguzungguguzungguzeng being sampled by giants like Notorious B.I.G, Tupac Shakur and Blackstar. King Yellowman here is his finest achievement in LP form, as not only does it epitomise the delicious dancehall/lover's rock hybrid he was peddling, but it also captures a kind of midway point between that hybrid and the soon-to-be-realised ragga movement. It's also a very consistent album boasting some terrific rhythms into the bargain.

Beres Hammond - Soul Reggae (1976)

Some classic lover's rock here with a soulful twist. Growing up, Hugh Beresford Hammond was very much exposed to American soul and jazz music such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding and, to be blank, it shows here. This album's the classic example of lover's rockers citing influences from American music, particularly Chicago and Philly soul. Mixed in with the influences of the ska and rocksteady of his native Jamaica, we're not only given a lover's rock by the numbers, but also a sound we associate with Jimmy Cliff, that being reggae soul. Lyrically, this album serves as a much less abrasive and borderline-misogynist version of Yellowman's work. Depending on how much patience you have for soul music, this is definitely a great place to start if you're looking to get into the more light-hearted side of reggae.

SATCHMO · 06-17-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulldog

I absolutely adore this album. Great pick Bulldog!

Piss Me Off · 06-17-2009, 03:14 PM

Rest assured i'm making notes here, i've heard and have songs from most of the artists here but don't have anyhting apart from a Pete Tosh best of. Aswad and Burning Spear in particular are great.

Bulldog · 06-17-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SATCHMO

I absolutely adore this album. Great pick Bulldog!

It's a keeper ain't it. There are bits of it which are pure soul, but overall it's the perfect balance between that and reggae. The song in the video there isn't actually on the album (couldn't find any that were), but it does sound a lot like most of the LP.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piss Me Off

Rest assured i'm making notes here, i've heard and have songs from most of the artists here but don't have anyhting apart from a Pete Tosh best of. Aswad and Burning Spear in particular are great.

Aswad started off cool, but got pretty poor as they went for that whole pop-reggae sound in the 80s (though I do like a few songs they did then). Burning Spear's the shizz too.

I'll be putting up the roots mixtape if you wanna try that before hunting any albums down. Could take a day or two to get online though.

06-16-2009, 10:26 AM	#24 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Gregory Isaacs-Night Nurse (1982) The loverman himself gave us a lover's rock classic in 1982 with Night Nurse. If anyone wants to know what lover's rock actually is then I just say listen to this album. Isaacs himself along with bassist 'Flabba' Holt produced this album and it is played with aplomb by the classic Roots Radics band, Night Nurse peddles a sweet soul tilt with a little synthesiser work that weaves it's easy charms and is effortless on the ears. Isaacs spiritual leanings are emphasised in the lyrics along with the physical. For Isaacs love is both for body and soul and yet the album never comes across as sentimental or overly saccharine. Seeed-Next! (2006) Seeed are unique in many ways. They are multi racial, from Germany and peddle a hybrid of Reggae, Dancehall, Hip hop and multi lingual lyrics. They are also a humorous band and just seem to be having a blast. They are supposed to be brilliant live and there are around 9 members in the band. What is so great about Next! is it's endless enthusiasm and feelgood factor. It also has true crossover appeal and many people who don't usually like Reggae could listen to this as entry level into the genre and find something that they like on the album. I found these on the net about 3 years and have converted many people to them as it's hard not to dislike them. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-16-2009, 02:15 PM	#26 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	I have all the Seeed stuff so if you draw a blank just holler! __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

06-17-2009, 03:14 PM	#29 (permalink)
Piss Me Off Moodswings n' Roundabouts Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: At the corner of Dude and Catastrophe Posts: 4,512	Rest assured i'm making notes here, i've heard and have songs from most of the artists here but don't have anyhting apart from a Pete Tosh best of. Aswad and Burning Spear in particular are great. __________________ Last FM Rate Yr Music Muxtape

06-15-2009, 07:58 PM	#21 (permalink)
Fender Groupie Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11	The first time I listened to 96 degrees in the shade, I came in my pants. Great list guys. Keep them coming.

06-15-2009, 09:08 PM	#22 (permalink)
Engine air quote Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: pollen & mold Posts: 3,108	^ I didn't have that same..reaction but I did really like the song. I love the entire selection, guys -- since I guess the Roots portion of the thread is over I have to mention another classic: Heart of the Congos by The Congos.

06-16-2009, 03:26 AM	#23 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	I guess you could define dancehall, lover's rock especially, as kind of reggae lite or something. The bare sub-genres themselves aren't really my favourites either, but it's when crossovers happen that things get really interesting. That Congos one Engine mentioned is indeed a good 'un. Haven't heard it in a good year or so myself, so I'll have to dig it out a bit later.

06-16-2009, 11:38 AM	#25 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	I have Extra Classic by Gregory Isaacs, but not Night Nurse. And that Seeed album's one I've been meaning to look for since the dawn of time. When I have the mental energy to I think I'll blogsearch 'em! Awesome new avvy btw. Bub is the shizz

06-17-2009, 12:28 PM	#27 (permalink)
Bulldog why bother? Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: UK Posts: 4,840	Here's the next batch then. Mixtape link for the roots list is on the way... maybe... Yellowman - King Yellowman (1984) Another one of the most influential and important figures to come out of the dancehall scene, Yellowman (born Winston Foster) was another sound system DJ to rise from the obscurity of the Jamaican music scene of the early 80s. His influence helped to spark off the ragga movement, which had a huge influence on the explosion in hip-hop's popularity which was just around the corner, with his hit single Zungguzungguguzungguzeng being sampled by giants like Notorious B.I.G, Tupac Shakur and Blackstar. King Yellowman here is his finest achievement in LP form, as not only does it epitomise the delicious dancehall/lover's rock hybrid he was peddling, but it also captures a kind of midway point between that hybrid and the soon-to-be-realised ragga movement. It's also a very consistent album boasting some terrific rhythms into the bargain. Beres Hammond - Soul Reggae (1976) Some classic lover's rock here with a soulful twist. Growing up, Hugh Beresford Hammond was very much exposed to American soul and jazz music such as Sam Cooke and Otis Redding and, to be blank, it shows here. This album's the classic example of lover's rockers citing influences from American music, particularly Chicago and Philly soul. Mixed in with the influences of the ska and rocksteady of his native Jamaica, we're not only given a lover's rock by the numbers, but also a sound we associate with Jimmy Cliff, that being reggae soul. Lyrically, this album serves as a much less abrasive and borderline-misogynist version of Yellowman's work. Depending on how much patience you have for soul music, this is definitely a great place to start if you're looking to get into the more light-hearted side of reggae.