The Best Reggae Music Albums of All Time
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Discover the best reggae music albums of all time, according to critics and fans. From classic Bob Marley records to contemporary reggae, these are the essential albums to have in your collection.
Best Reggae Albums of All Time
When it comes to Reggae music, there are a lot of differentalbums that have been released over the years. Some of these albums are better than others, and some are considered to be the best of all time. This list will take a look at the 10 best Reggae albums of all time.
Catch a Fire- Bob Marley and the Wailers
Catch a Fire is the fifth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was released on April 13, 1973, in the United Kingdom and on May 8 in the United States. The album was a commercial and critical success in both countries, peaking at number 16 on Billboard’s Top LPs chart and number 51 in the UK.
The album was written and recorded during a period of political turmoil in 1972–73, when Marley and his bandmates were actively involved in the Rastafari movement for social justice and independence for Jamaica. The title refers to the Wailers’ catch fire brand of music, which they hoped would “spread like wildfire” throughout the world.
The artwork on the album’s cover was designed by Marley’s wife, Rita, who also created the images for several of his other albums.
Exodus- Bob Marley and the Wailers
Exodus is the ninth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, first released on 3 June 1977 through Island Records following Marley’s recovery from an assassination attempt at his home in Jamaica. The album was written, recorded and produced in two major sessions at Island Studios in London, England and was the final recorded album that included Marley’swife and longtime backing singers Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt as well as IR co-founder Lee “Scratch” Perry.
In 2012, Exodus was ranked No. 46 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 1998, Time magazine ranked it No. 155 on its list of all-time greatest albums; it was ranked at No. 99 in a similar poll carried out by Q magazine in 2006; and it was placed at No. 84 by another panel of critics organized by Mojo magazine that same year. In 2003, the album was ranked number 352 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time 3 In 2010, UK music paper The Guardian placed Exodus at number 76 in their list of 100 Greatest Albums Ever. 4 In August 2014, Billboard ranked Exodus as the 64th greatest reggae album ever.
Kaya- Bob Marley and the Wailers
Kaya is the fifth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers released on 18 May 1978. The album was recorded and mixed at Dexter’s Lab in Kingston, Jamaica and was co-produced by Marley and his brother Tony. Kaya reached number eight in the UK charts and has been certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
The album featured several of Marley’s most popular singles including “Is This Love”, “Sun Is Shining” and “Satisfy My Soul”. Kaya was a more reflective and mellow album than its predecessors, with Marley suffering from depression due to mental and physical exhaustion from touring.
Best Contemporary Reggae Albums
Reggae music has its origins in Jamaica, and is often associated with the Rastafari movement, which promotes the repatriation of black Africans to their ancestral homeland of Ethiopia. The genre is characterized by a strong bass line and drums, as well as by a style of singing called toasting, which is similar to rap. Reggae music has become popular all over the world, and there are many great albums in the genre.
True Love- Toots and the Maytals
True Love is the twentieth studio album by Jamaican reggae group Toots and the Maytals, released in 2004. It was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2005 for Best Reggae Album, and won three trophies at the 2005 MOBO Awards.
On 10 December 2011, the album was awarded a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of 500,000 copies in the United States.
Time Tough- The Abyssinians
This album was released in 1997 and is one of the best contemporary reggae albums out there. The Abyssinians are a roots reggae band from Kingston, Jamaica, and they do not disappoint with this album. All of the tracks are solidly produced and the lyrics are thoughtful and conscious. If you’re looking for some good contemporary reggae, this is the album for you.
A Matter of Time- Barrington Levy
Released in 1986, Barrington Levy’s third album features some of his biggest hits, including “Here I Come,” “Living Dangerously,” and the title track. A Matter of Time is a perfect example of Levy’s infectious blend of dancehall, reggae, and dub, and helped to solidify his reputation as one of the most exciting young artists in Jamaican music.
