Routes of Reggae – A Brief History on Jamaican Music

Jamaican music, like our other cultural expressions, came into being through the process of time and evolution. With more than 300 years of continuous history, our people have developed a homogeneous community. The fabric of our music is woven of many threads and the sources are varied and many, with European and African influences. However […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Wailers

The Wailers…When people think of the Wailers,they think of Bob Marley. But, the Wailers were decidedly more than Bob alone. There was a steady flow of backing musicians from the outset, beginning with the Skatalites who backed the group from it’s virtual inception in the early 60’s…right up to Bob’s so called ‘solo’ days with […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Reggae Around the World

Reggae Around the World…Reggae music is the all-encompassing name for so many genres of Jamaican music. Ska, Rock Steady, Rub-A-Dub, Dancehall etc. To the world, it’s simply Reggae and Reggae is a world-wide musical phenomenon. To countries around the globe, Jamaican people have emmigrated and settled. And in doing so, they’ve brought with them their […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: From Folk to Mento

History…From Folk to Mento…When most people think of music in Jamaica, they think Reggae. And while Reggae music has been one of Jamaica’s great exports, there was a definite evolution to reach that point. Many people also know of Reggae’s ‘grandfather’ Ska and Reggae’s predecessor Rock Steady. But before those 2 genres…there was more. First […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Tennors

The Tennors… The Tennors were a vocal group at the forefront of changing times and styles. As Ska started to lose it’s influence with younger people, the horns and bop influenced solos began to move to the background. Vocals gained a new prominence. This very status was key in the ‘new’ music’s ability to talk […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Skatalites

The Skatalites…In addition to heading into the recording studio to back almost every Ska singer[s] of note on record, the Skatalites were and are such gifted musicians that they remain the pre-eminent Ska band to this day. While many of the original members of the Skatalites have passed on…they passed on the torch that keeps […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Paragons

The Paragons…The Paragons were one of the most important success stories to lead, and then emerge from, the 1966 – 68 Rock Steady era. Their’s was a sound that impacted on vitually every phase of Jamaican music right up to today. Their classic ‘The Tide Is High’ was taken to the top of the international […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Toots and the Maytals

Toots and the Maytals…Toots and the Maytals…Always one of Jamaica’s most soulful voices, Toots Hibbert and the Maytals, Jerry Mathias and Raleigh Gordon, began recording back in 1961. Toots had honed his vocal skills, along with his 4 brothers and 3 sisters, at the Baptist church. In the late ’50’s he garnered quite the reputation […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Gregory

Gregory Isaacs…The Cool Ruler…Gregory Isaacs, got his start recording great songs with producers like Alvin Ranglin and Glen Brown. Mixing ‘Lover’s’ themes with more cultural material during the Roots period Gregory, along with Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor, became the most successful singers of the era. Gregory worked with many of the producers as his […]

Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Beres Hammond

Beres Hammond…Beres Hammond started out singing R & B influenced songs and also enjoyed some limited success with the vocal group Zap Pow. In fact Beres spent quite a period of time ‘paying his dues’ before he became Reggae music’s premier male vocalist. Donovan Germain’s coupling of Bere’s voice with dancehall stars like Tony Rebel, […]