REGGAE WEEK: Your favourite Reggae artist and why?

My Mind Sedate · 10-21-2010, 10:28 PM

Yeah sorry I realise that reggae week has been and gone, but I just wanted to share this track. A Kiwi reggae act by the name of Katchafire. Astonishingly tight live, wicked for all those enjoying the summer in the southern hemisphere like myself! Beers + BBQ + ganja = as good as it gets.

jackhammer · 10-22-2010, 06:35 PM

Katchafire's Slow Burning album is really good but the last album I heard (Say What You're Thinking) was a big let down. They started life as a Bob Marley tribute act if I remember rightly.

My Mind Sedate · 10-24-2010, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Katchafire's Slow Burning album is really good but the last album I heard (Say What You're Thinking) was a big let down. They started life as a Bob Marley tribute act if I remember rightly.

Wow I'm deeply impressed with your knowledge Jackhammer! Yep they did indeed start off as a Bob Marley tribute band. I was too young at the time but I've heard that back in the day, Katchafire used to play a set of their own material and then a set of covers. When smoking was still legal indoors, Katchafire gigs were THE gigs to attend, especially in summer! I agree that the older stuff is better. I would recommend their first album: Revival also. This one just seems more rootsy and less self-indulgent. Say What You're Thinking was a bit too ambitious and unfortunately not so well executed imo. They also have a new album out which I have not had the opportunity to check out yet...

Here's Katchafire covering Three Little Birds

Listen for the "you fullahs aren't geeks." Hilarious.

FretZeroGuitar · 01-04-2011, 12:23 AM

Pink Freud's avatar is hilarious.

As far as my favourite reggae artist...well...I really like some of the bass lines of Dubconscious.

But my favorite single artist overall I would have to go with either Michael Franti or possibly Joseph Israel - check them out at their respective Myspace sites.

Also, check out Deep South Dread on Myspace. I tried to post links to all these things but the stupid rules dictate I have to make 15 posts on the forum before I am allowed to post URLs.

stillmans39 · 03-02-2011, 11:55 AM

Jeez, of all the thousands of Jamaican artists you could choose as a favourite reggae star, people are seriously mentioning Michael Franti?? Man, I loved the disposable heroes but most of his solo stuff was poor and besides it really really ain't reggae.

I'd have to go for Eek-a-Mouse. The way he managed to combine the most beautiful melodies with a very humourous and light-hearted style (much needed after the sublime but very serious roots music of the 70s), yet still throwing up every now and then some unbelievably poignant and heartfelt lyrics. 'Too Young to Understand', the closer on the awesome wa-do-dem album is a classic example (it's on youtube I just can't post urls yet)

His work with Henry Junjo Lawes, one of the island's finest and most prolific producers of the 80s is fabulous. Wa-Do-Dem and Mouseketeer are two great albums but he's consistently made good records and is still doing so now. And his is the best name for an artist ever!

Anabanana · 09-02-2012, 10:04 AM

For me, you can't beat Wave of War by Joe Higgs (the original Sioux label 45) because it gives strength and courage and energises the defeated. It has a rhythm that reaches your soul - notice at the end Higgs throws up the rhythm ("and he's my soul and my salvation all day long ...") like a pack of cards and they all land face up in perfect order (to use an analogy). This tune has seen me through my darkest days for over 40 years now. The man is a true genius - thank you Joe.

nba408 · 09-02-2012, 04:07 PM

Sublime has to be mine. I have been listening to the same Sublime songs since the 90s and they have never got old. I understand that Sublime can be punk rock/ska sometimes but the majority of their songs are reggae/dub. Sublime is underrated these days and they definitely don't get as much recognition as most band that were.

DevonWilliams · 09-28-2012, 03:39 PM

I don't listen to reggae, but if I did, it would be Yellowman

Zungguzungguguzungguzeng - Yellowman - YouTube

Prettygurl · 10-01-2012, 09:47 PM

Beres Hammond. He is the Marvin Gaye of Reggae.

Dancekid · 10-09-2012, 03:27 AM

well I love reggae and obviously bob marley is da king of reggae and will always b....
But along side im as da greatest in order is...
2.Dennis brown
3 beres hammond
4 freddie mcgregor
5 garnett silk
Amazing top 5 artists not just in reggae but inda whole world

10-22-2010, 06:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Katchafire's Slow Burning album is really good but the last album I heard (Say What You're Thinking) was a big let down. They started life as a Bob Marley tribute act if I remember rightly. __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

09-02-2012, 10:04 AM	#26 (permalink)
Anabanana Groupie Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 1	For me, you can't beat Wave of War by Joe Higgs (the original Sioux label 45) because it gives strength and courage and energises the defeated. It has a rhythm that reaches your soul - notice at the end Higgs throws up the rhythm ("and he's my soul and my salvation all day long ...") like a pack of cards and they all land face up in perfect order (to use an analogy). This tune has seen me through my darkest days for over 40 years now. The man is a true genius - thank you Joe. Last edited by Anabanana; 09-02-2012 at 10:59 AM.

09-28-2012, 03:39 PM	#28 (permalink)
DevonWilliams Music Addict Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 110	I don't listen to reggae, but if I did, it would be Yellowman Zungguzungguguzungguzeng - Yellowman - YouTube __________________ The hood is a lie

10-09-2012, 03:27 AM	#30 (permalink)
Dancekid Groupie Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 1	Favourite reggae artist well I love reggae and obviously bob marley is da king of reggae and will always b.... But along side im as da greatest in order is... 2.Dennis brown 3 beres hammond 4 freddie mcgregor 5 garnett silk Amazing top 5 artists not just in reggae but inda whole world

10-21-2010, 10:28 PM	#21 (permalink)
My Mind Sedate Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 67	Yeah sorry I realise that reggae week has been and gone, but I just wanted to share this track. A Kiwi reggae act by the name of Katchafire. Astonishingly tight live, wicked for all those enjoying the summer in the southern hemisphere like myself! Beers + BBQ + ganja = as good as it gets.

01-04-2011, 12:23 AM	#24 (permalink)
FretZeroGuitar Groupie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chelsea, AL Posts: 3	Pink Freud's avatar is hilarious. As far as my favourite reggae artist...well...I really like some of the bass lines of Dubconscious. But my favorite single artist overall I would have to go with either Michael Franti or possibly Joseph Israel - check them out at their respective Myspace sites. Also, check out Deep South Dread on Myspace. I tried to post links to all these things but the stupid rules dictate I have to make 15 posts on the forum before I am allowed to post URLs.

03-02-2011, 11:55 AM	#25 (permalink)
stillmans39 Groupie Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 10	Jeez, of all the thousands of Jamaican artists you could choose as a favourite reggae star, people are seriously mentioning Michael Franti?? Man, I loved the disposable heroes but most of his solo stuff was poor and besides it really really ain't reggae. I'd have to go for Eek-a-Mouse. The way he managed to combine the most beautiful melodies with a very humourous and light-hearted style (much needed after the sublime but very serious roots music of the 70s), yet still throwing up every now and then some unbelievably poignant and heartfelt lyrics. 'Too Young to Understand', the closer on the awesome wa-do-dem album is a classic example (it's on youtube I just can't post urls yet) His work with Henry Junjo Lawes, one of the island's finest and most prolific producers of the 80s is fabulous. Wa-Do-Dem and Mouseketeer are two great albums but he's consistently made good records and is still doing so now. And his is the best name for an artist ever!

09-02-2012, 04:07 PM	#27 (permalink)
nba408 Groupie Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 3	Sublime has to be mine. I have been listening to the same Sublime songs since the 90s and they have never got old. I understand that Sublime can be punk rock/ska sometimes but the majority of their songs are reggae/dub. Sublime is underrated these days and they definitely don't get as much recognition as most band that were.

10-01-2012, 09:47 PM	#29 (permalink)
Prettygurl Groupie Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 14	Beres Hammond. He is the Marvin Gaye of Reggae.