Lost Ark Music: The Best Reggae Albums of All Time
Welcome to Lost Ark Music, where we celebrate the best reggae albums of all time. From the classics to the modern day, we’ll be sharing our favourites and why we love them so much. We hope you enjoy our journey through the greatest reggae albums ever made!
Best Reggae Albums of All Time
Catch a Fire by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Catch a Fire is the fifth studio album by Bob Marley and the Wailers, released in April 1973. The album was a commercial and critical success, peaking at number eight on the Billboard 200 and number 29 on the UK Albums Chart. In 2003, the album was ranked number 298 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
Exodus by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Bob Marley’s 10th studio album, Exodus, was released in June of 1977. The double album was a result of Ju clinging on to life after an assassination attempt that left him wounded and in a coma for days. Exodus is full of revolutionary anthems that would become staples at rallies for years to come.
Survival by Bob Marley and the Wailers
Marley’s tenth studio album, Survival is an incisive commentary on the political situation in Jamaica. The title track calls out the government’s treatment of its people, while “Africa Unite” is a rallying cry for pan-Africanism. Marley was shot two days after the album’s release, which only added to its legend.
Best Contemporary Reggae Albums
Reggae music has come a long way since its origins in the 1960s. The genre has been through a lot of changes and has evolved into a unique style of music. Reggae music is now popular all over the world and has a huge following. There are many great reggae albums that have been released in recent years.
True Love by Toots and the Maytals
True Love is the fifth studio album by Jamaican reggae group Toots and the Maytals, first released in 1984. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985. It included the hit singles “Never Grow Old”, “Monkey Man”, “54-46 That’s My Number” and “Pressure Drop”.
Time Tough: The Anthology by Aswad
If you want to get a feel for the true range and power of contemporary reggae, look no further than Aswad’s Time Tough: The Anthology. This career-spanning collection highlights the group’s impressive versatility, showcasing their ability to move between conscious roots anthems, celebratory party jams, and folksy love songs with ease. Along the way, they racked up a number of hits, including “Warrior Charge,” “Don’t Turn Around,” and “Give a Little Love.” But even at their most commercial, Aswad always retained their integrity, making them one of the most beloved and respected reggae groups of all time.
Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Kingston Beach by Toots and the Maytals
Recorded in 1971, this album is a perfect example of Toots and the Maytals’ incredible ability to fuse together reggae, ska, and rocksteady. The result is a timeless record that still sounds as fresh and exciting as it did almost 50 years ago.
