almost all the lp's! - bob marley and the wailers

the biggest reggae artist to date even though he passed away almost twenty years ago.  re-issues of his records still sell, even the odd new ones have emerged from the vaults!  

 

"night nurse" - gregory isaacs

gregory isaacs has probably one of the most recognised voices in reggae music.  a veteran now in the scene and still going strong - recording for the acid jazz 'roots' label.  this 1982 album is a favourite amongst old skool reggae fans and you may remember the title track being covered in recent years by simply red.  but as with 90% of cover versions, the original is definitely the best.

 

"revolution" - dennis brown

dennis brown passed away in 1999 after a career in reggae music that began in his teens.  remembered for his early material produced by joe gibbs, this lp is a relatively late contender in his career.

contains: "breaking down the barriers" and "promised land"

 

"crucial cuts" - twinkle brothers

the twinkle brothers are like the underground equivalent in roots reggae.  you either know them or you don't.  this album brings together the best of their early work.

includes the classics: "never get burn", "jahoviah" plus others.

 

"black liberation" - lidj incorporated meets sound iration

this was the first album i heard (although it wasn't the first to be produced) that sounded like new skool digital dub production - compared to the reggae tunes released during the 80's.  the sound was clean and the production was tight.  the same crew were responsible for a huge amount of roots and culture dub tunes that came out during the early 90's.  heavy bass-lines and conscious lyrics throughout.  there was also a dub album released of this album, "dub liberation", that is always a must to accompany the vocal.

 

"hulet" - aswad

before their national chart success, aswad were a strictly roots and culture reggae band.  this album is possibly their best.

"original rockers" - augustus pablo

pablo created the "far east sound" sound with his use of the melodica - this compilation brings some of his best work on one album.

 

"mastercuts classic reggae vol I" - various artists

when this album was released, the owners of the original records must have been cursing the compiler - much sort after tunes that were being exchanged for 'silly money' had all been released on on lp!  a must for revival reggae fans.

contains: pablo gad "hardtimes", don carlos "nice time (late night blues)", fabian "prophecy" many more...