Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music
Contents
Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music is a collection of some of the best reggae music out there. Whether you’re a fan of Bob Marley or not, this compilation is sure to get your feet moving.
The Origins of Reggae
The Ska Era
The ska era refers to the period of Jamaican music between 1962 and 1966, when ska first emerged. The late 1950s saw the development of mento, a Cuban-influenced style of Jamaican folk music, as well as the rise of American R&B and rock & roll. These genres had a significant impact on ska, which incorporated elements of both mento and R&B. The ska era came to an end in 1966 with the advent of rocksteady, a slower, more soulful style of Jamaican music.
The Rocksteady Era
The first sign that reggae was here to stay came in 1966 with the release of “Rock Steady” by Alton Ellis. The beat was slower than ska, and the lyrics were more reflective and introspective. The Who’s Pete Townshend called it “the first time I ever heard reggae.”
The rocksteady sound was defined by stripped-down instrumentation and a focus on the singer rather than the band. The typical rocksteady lineup featured a drummer, bassist, guitarist, and keyboardist, with a few horn players thrown in for good measure. The guitars were often played with a percussive “chuck” rhythm, while the keyboards provided short, melodic phrases that served as countermelodies to the singer’s lead vocals.
The lyrics of rocksteady songs were also different from those of earlier reggae tunes. While ska had been devoted to love and partying, rocksteady gave voice to the more serious concerns of everyday life. This change in subject matter was mirrored in the style of singing, which was now more relaxed and emotive than the earlier style of toasting.
One of the most important innovators of the rocksteady era was musician and producer Lloyd Brevett, who helped define the new sound with his work as part of The Skatalites. Brevett’s signature bass playing can be heard on countless rocksteady tracks, including Alton Ellis’s “Rock Steady” and The Paragons’ “The Tide Is High.”
Another important figure in the development of rocksteady was singer John Holt, who rose to prominence as a member of The Paragons before embarking on a successful solo career. Holt helped perfect the art of singing in a plaintive, emotive style that became one of the defining characteristics of rocksteady. His 1968 solo debut “A Love I Can Feel” is considered by many to be one
of the greatest rocksteady tracks ever recorded.
The Golden Age of Reggae
Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music is a compilation album ofreggae music released in 1992. It was released on the Island Records label and features music from the golden age of reggae. The album features music from artists such as Bob Marley, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Burning Spear.
The Rise of Reggae
The early 1970s saw the rise of reggae music out of Jamaica and its spread to the international music scene. This new style of music blended elements of Jamaican folk music, American R&B, and Brazilian samba, and was characterized by a strong backbeat, syncopated bassline, and distinctive vocal style. The lyrics of reggae songs often dealt with social and political issues, as well as love and relationships.
Reggae became hugely popular in the 1970s, with artists such as Bob Marley, Dennis Brown, and Burning Spear becoming international stars. The genre continued to evolve in the 1980s and 1990s, with new subgenres such as dancehall and ragga emerging. Today, reggae is enjoyed all over the world, with artists like Shaggy, Sean Paul, and Ziggy Marley keeping the tradition alive.
The Golden Age
The 1970s was the Golden Age of Reggae, with the genre’s popularity exploding both in Jamaica and internationally. This was the era of Bob Marley and the Wailers, who released a string of groundbreaking albums that introduced the world to Reggae music. Other seminal artists of this period include Lee “Scratch” Perry, King Tubby, Burning Spear, and Eddie Cochran. Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music documents this exciting period in music history, with a wide selection of tracks that showcase the diversity and brilliance of Reggae at its peak.
The Reggae Revival
Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music is a new compilation album that explores the resurgence of reggae music in Jamaica. The album features a mix of established and up-and-coming artists, all of whom are united by their love of reggae and its ability to inspire positive change.
The Reggae Revival of the 1970s
The 1970s saw the rise of a new wave of reggae artists who sought to revive the sound and spirit of the original Jamaican pioneers. This “reggae revival” movement was led by such artists as Burning Spear, Junior Murvin, and Max Romeo. These artists revived the use of Rastafarian themes and imagery in their music, and their success helped to reintroduce reggae to a wider international audience.
The Reggae Revival of the 1980s
In the 1980s, there was a revival of roots reggae, which was led by artists such as Aswad, Black Uhuru, and Steel Pulse. These groups updated the sound of reggae with a new focus on Rastafari and social issues. The music of the Reggae Revival was slower and more meditative than earlier forms of reggae, and it often featured conscious lyrics about topics such as Apartheid, poverty, and Babylon.
The Reggae Revival was short-lived, but it had a lasting impact on the sound of reggae. The style of the Reggae Revival influenced later artists such as Ziggy Marley, Beenie Man, and Buju Banton.
Modern Reggae
Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music is a compilation album that was released in 1992. The album contains forty-one tracks and was released on vinyl, cassette, and CD. Rebel Music: An Anthology of Reggae Music contains a wide variety of tracks from different artists and different genres within reggae.
The New Wave of Reggae
In the 1980s, a new wave of reggae music emerged, blending the traditional sounds of ska and rocksteady with more modern elements such as hip hop, electronic music, and even pop. This new style, often called “dancehall” or “ragga,” was characterized by its fast tempo and sexually explicit lyrics.
Dancehall became extremely popular in Jamaica in the 1980s, and soon spread to other countries with large Jamaican populations, such as the United Kingdom and Canada. In the 1990s, dancehall began to gain mainstream attention in the United States as well, thanks to artists like Shabba Ranks and Sean Paul.
Despite its commercial success, dancehall has been criticized for its supposed links to violence and gang culture. Nevertheless, it remains one of the most popular genres of Jamaican music today.
The Digital Era
The digital era of reggae began in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with the advent of digital production and distribution methods. This new era saw a shift away from the traditional live band sound to a more polished, studio-based sound. This new sound made use of drum machines, synthesizers, and other electronic instruments and production techniques. Although some purists decried this new direction as “inauthentic,” it soon became clear that reggae was evolving once again, carrying on the tradition of innovation and change that had defined the genre from its earliest days.
One of the most important innovators in this new era was Jamaican producerANCEE Steele. Steele’s work with artists like Shabba Ranks and Beenie Man helped to bring reggae to a wider audience, and his use of drum machines and other electronic elements gave reggae a fresh sound that was both modern and distinctly Jamaican. Other important producers from this era include Marcus George (aka Steely & Clevie) and Sly & Robbie, two of Jamaica’s most prolific and influential producers.
This new era of reggae also saw the rise of a number of important artists, including Buju Banton, whose 1992 album Mr. Mention is considered by many to be one of the greatest reggae albums of all time. Also rising to prominence in this era were artists like Beenie Man, Capleton, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, and Lady Saw, all of whom helped to bring a new energy and edge to reggae music.
