Having seen so many threads and posts on Reggae, I thought I would post an article I wrote for my own website for your interest and comment... hopefully for those not into reggae, it will open a world of possibilities. For those new to Reggae it will inform and identify some new artists to look at...

Most of all, for those that take the time to read it, I hope you enjoy it...


A BRIEF HISTORY OF REGGAE - InspiredFunk

Jamaica is considered the home of Reggae, developing the unique musical fom, beginning with Ska, through Rock Steady and into the many forms of Reggae in existence today (Reggae, Roots Reggae, Dub, Toasting, Lovers Rock, Dancehall, Ragga, Reggaeton and Cultural).

In the Beginning....

Tracing back the roots of reggae, as a musical form, means travelling back to Jamaica in the 1940's, when, as a British Colony, it was exposed to America's major contribution to World Music, Jazz. Following the extensive radio-play of Jazz bands from the US; local bands began to spring up across Jamaica, imitating their American counter-parts for the entertainment of the tourists.

In the early 1950's, the orchestral sound of Jazz was being replaced, globally, with a new sound created by a younger generation. Artists such as Ray Charles in the US, began experimenting with fusion sounds of soul and gospel, and the youth became more wrapped up in a musical revolution. In Jamaica, this was expressed by the new fashion for "Dances" - open air events where the latest sounds would be played over a "sound systems" - almost a fore-runner to the mobile disco. For many Jamaican's these dances represented the only way to hear the latest sounds, and these events formed communities based on music, inclusive even of those who could not afford a radio.

By the middle of the 1950's, two "Sound Systems" dominated Island Music - Trojan, led by the legendary Duke Reid, an ex-policeman, well-known for carrying two guns with him at all times, and Sir Coxsone Downbeat (named after a Yorkshire cricketer), led by Clement Dodd (considered to be the man who truly began Bob Marley's illustrious career by moving him to lead vocalist for the Wailers).

However, in the mid-50's, these sound systems were restricted to playing predominanly American music as no recording facilities existed on the Island at that time.

Rivallry between the two Sound Systems was fierce, with the owners having to travel, or appoint agents, to ensure that they had the latest and greatest tunes available. This fierce competitive nature was to be a key component in the rapid accelleration of musical development on the Island, as well as leading to a number of violent clashes in the later years. They had many a "Battle of the sound Systems" and towards the end of the fifties Duke Reid the Trojan was crowned king.

In order to survive, it was clear that the Jamaican music scene need to evolve from local live bands playing copied American Jazz, local traditional mento music, and the Sound Systems playing American music. This began in 1954 when the first Jamaican record label opened for business. Federal records, however, was still focused on the reproduction and licensing of American music, and whilst this provided more choice and reduced expense for Sound System owners, it still did not meet the demands of local music industry growth.

It would not be until 1958 that local artists would get an opportunity for exposure. Edward Seaga, who went on to become the Prime Minister of Jamaica), founded the WIRL label (West Indian Records Limited), focused on recording and releasing music by local artists.

At this stage, however, the local artist recordings (often blatant imitations of American sounds), were still being shipped out of the country for pressing, so music was still only available to the masses through the Sound Systems. At the end of the 1950's, the first pressing plant was built on the Island (Caribbean Records), and with new studios (such as Clement Dodd's "Studio One" and Duke Reids "Treasure Isle"), the Jamaican recording industry was ready for a global assault.

Next - A Ska Is Born.... >
Inspiration Reviewed by Inspiration on . A Brief History of Reggae Having seen so many threads and posts on Reggae, I thought I would post an article I wrote for my own website for your interest and comment... hopefully for those not into reggae, it will open a world of possibilities. For those new to Reggae it will inform and identify some new artists to look at... Most of all, for those that take the time to read it, I hope you enjoy it... A BRIEF HISTORY OF REGGAE - InspiredFunk Jamaica is considered the home of Reggae, developing the unique Rating: 5