This Is Reggae Music: The Story of Jamaica's Music

About this book

Jamaica is a small country in the Caribbean 146 miles wide and populated by fewer than three million people. Nevertheless it has exerted a more powerful hold on international popular music than any nation besides England and America. From Prince Buster to Burning Spear Lee "Scratch" Perry to Yellowman Bob Marley to Shabba Ranks reggae music is one of the most dynamic and powerful musical forms of the twentieth century. And as Lloyd Bradley shows in his deft definitive and always entertaining book it is and always has been the peoples music. Born in the sound systems of the Kingston slums reggae was the first music poor Jamaicans could call their own and as it spread throughout the world it always remained fluid challenging and distinctly Jamaican. Based on six years of research -- original interviews with most of reggaes key producers musicians and international players -- and a lifelong enthusiasm for one of the most remarkable of the worlds musics This Is Reggae Music is the definitive history of reggae.