The Best of 1970s Reggae Music

The Best of 1970s Reggae Music- A blog dedicated to the best reggae sounds from the 1970s. Featuring artist profiles, album reviews, and more.

Reggae Origins

Reggae is a style of music that was developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used in 1968, when Toots and the Maytals released the song “Do the Reggay”. Reggae is usually played at a slow tempo and is heavily influenced by African American music.

Ska and Rocksteady

Ska and rocksteady are the foundation of reggae music. Ska is a style of Jamaican popular music that originated in the late 1950s and was the precursors to rocksteady. It combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. The style was developed by Jamaican musicians who were exposed to these American genres via radio broadcasts from the United States. Ska is characterized by a walking bass line accented with rhythms on the offbeat. The tempo is generally fast and the lyrics often deal with social issues.

Rocksteady is a style of Jamaican popular music that emerged in the late 1960s. It was a direct predecessor of reggae and was also influenced by ska, R&B, and soul music. Rocksteady is slower than ska, with a less complicated instrumentation and a focus on the vocals rather than the instruments. The lyrics are often about love or peace.

The Golden Age of Reggae

The 1970s was the golden age of reggae music. At this time, the music was raw and authentic. The lyrics were often political and spoke to the struggles of the Jamaican people. The beats were infectious and the music was full of energy. This was the era when Bob Marley rose to prominence and became the face of reggae music.

The Wailers

The Wailers are a Jamaican reggae band formed by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Neville Livingston. The band started out as The Wailing Rudeboys in 1963, and later changed their name to The Wailing Wailers. They achieved international fame with their unique blend of reggae, ska and rocksteady, and became one of the best-selling groups of all time.

The Wailers’ lineup has changed numerous times over the years, but the core members have always been Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Neville Livingston. Bob Marley died in 1981, but The Wailers continue to tour and release new music today.

The Wailers are one of the most important reggae bands of all time, and their music continues to influence musicians around the world. If you’re a fan of reggae, ska or rocksteady, then you need to check out The Wailers!

Bob Marley

Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley, OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer, songwriter and musician. His musical career was marked by blending elements of reggae, ska, and rocksteady, as well as forging a smooth and distinctive vocal and songwriting style.

Lee “Scratch” Perry

Lee “Scratch” Perry (born Rainford Hugh Perry, on March 20, 1936, in Kendal, Jamaica) is a Jamaican music producer and inventor noted for his innovative studio work and production style. Perry was an early pioneer of the reggae genre; he has been credited with helping shape the sound of ska and rocksteady. He employs numerous experimental methods in his productions, such as reversing tapes and feeding recorded tracks through a Hammond B-3 organ played backwards. Perry has worked with and produced for a wide variety of artists, including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, the Congos, Max Romeo, Adrian Sherwood, the Beastie Boys, Ari Up (of The Slits), the Clash and many others.

In 2007, he received a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2003 he was also awarded an honorary doctorate by Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut..

The Roots of Reggae

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The term reggae was first used in 1968, when Toots and the Maytals released the single “Do the Reggay”. Reggae is closely related to ska and rocksteady, and is characterized by a 4/4 time signature, offbeat rhythms, and a distinctive sound that influenced subsequent genres.

Rastafari

Rastafari, also known as Rastafarianism, is an Abrahamic religion that developed in Jamaica during the 1930s. It originated among the poor, black Jamaicans who were excluded from the country’s social and economic mainstream. The religion derives its name from Haile Selassie I, the Ethiopian emperor who was revered by Rastafari as Jah, the incarnate of God and redeemer of mankind.

Rastafari promotes the spiritual use of cannabis and the rejection of alcohol, meat, and processed food. It espouses a calculated black solidarity that is at once Afrocentric and pan-African in its outlook. Welcome to Culture Clash Radio! We’re excited to bring you this episode all about reggae music in 1970s Jamaica. Our focus will be on how Rastafarianism impacted the course of Jamaican music and culture.

Marcus Garvey

Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr. was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica on August 17, 1887, to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Sr., a mason, and Sarah Jane Richards, a domestic worker. Garvey had his primary education at Calabar Elementary School before he was apprenticed to join his father as a mason. When he lost his job due to an economic downturn in 1907, Garvey turned his attention to trading. He started off by working as a street trader in Kingston before opening his own general store in 1909.

In 1910, Garvey left Jamaica to work in Costa Rica on the Panama Canal construction project. While there, he became interested in the work of Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He also attended night classes at the University of Honduras where he studied for a Law degree; however, he did not complete his studies. In 1912, Garvey returned to Jamaica where he worked as a newspaper editor for The Watchman and The Gazette; however, he was soon fired from both jobs because of his controversial views on race.

The Message of Reggae

Reggae music has a message, and that message is one of love, peace, and unity. The genre was born in the 1970s in Jamaica, and it has since gone on to conquer the world. Reggae music is known for its catchy beats and its positive lyrics. The message of reggae is one of love, peace, and unity, and it is this message that has made the genre so popular.

Peace and Love

Reggae is a music genre that began in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The word reggae is derived from the Spanish word “rumba” which means “party.” Reggae music is known for its slow, catchy beats and its focus on messages of peace, love, and unity.

Reggae became popular in the 1970s with artists such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Peter Tosh. Reggae music was often used to spread messages of political consciousness and social change. Songs like “Get Up, Stand Up” and “One Love” by Bob Marley became anthems of the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.

In the 1980s, reggae experienced a decline in popularity due to the rise of dancehall music. However, it made a comeback in the 1990s with artists such as Buju Banton, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer. In the 2000s, reggae fusion emerged as a new genre of reggae that incorporated elements of hip-hop, R&B, and pop music.

The message of peace and love that is central to reggae music has resonated with people all over the world for decades. It is a genre of music that continues to evolve and entertain audiences of all ages.

Social Injustice

One of the most popular and controversial genres of music to come out of Jamaica in the 1970s was Reggae. Reggae emerged from the island’s ska and rocksteady scene, and quickly became a way for Jamaican artists to voice their frustrations with the social injustice they were facing.

Many Reggae songs tackle tough topics like poverty, violence, and racism, and offer a message of hope and resistance. Despite its humble origins, Reggae soon gained international popularity, thanks in part to Bob Marley’s crossover success.

If you’re looking for some social justice anthems from the 1970s, here are some of the best Reggae songs about inequality:

-“War” by Bob Marley
-“Them Belly Full (But We Hungry)” by Bob Marley
-“No More Trouble” by Bob Marley
-“Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley
-“Redemption Song” by Bob Marley
-” Slave Driver” by Bob Marley
-“I Shot the Sheriff” by Eric Clapton

Political Corruption

The lyrics of reggae often talk about political corruption and the struggle of the poor and oppressed. The music is also highly critical of the government and calls for social change. Reggae artists often use their music to raise awareness about issues such as poverty, injustice, and inequality.

The Legacy of Reggae

The 1970s was a decade that many people look back on with rose-tinted glasses. It was a time of peace, love, and great music. One genre of music that was particularly popular during this time was reggae. Reggae music has its origins in Jamaica, and it quickly spread to the rest of the world in the 1970s. Reggae music is known for its catchy rhythms and its ability to make people feel good. It is still popular today, and its influence can be seen in many other genres of music.

Reggae in the 21st Century

Reggae’s influence can be heard in many 21st century genres such as ska, rocksteady, dub, dancehall, reggaeton, afrobeat and hip hop. The music of Jamaica continues to serve as an inspiration to musicians around the world.