Early Reggae

Early reggae, the evolution from rocksteady and precursor to the roots reggae that exploded in the late 1970s, flourished in Jamaica between approximately 1968 and 1972. Characterized by a bouncy rhythm with a slower tempo than ska but quicker than rocksteady, it often featured a prominent bass line and offbeat rhythm guitar strums, creating a skank rhythm that encouraged a danceable groove. The genre laid down a framework for the political and socially conscious themes that would become synonymous with later reggae. Artists like Derrick Morgan and Clancy Eccles infused early reggae with soulful vocals and harmonies, while instrumentalists such as Roland Alphonso contributed rich and melodic horn lines. Early reggae records frequently boasted organ riffs, a signature sound provided by musicians like Winston Wright, which would become a distinctive feature of the genre.

Latest Early Reggae Release
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Pama Hitmakers: Slim Smith
Album - 11 Tracks - Released May 3, 2024
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Ken Parker
The Gaylads
Slim Smith
Lloyd Charmers
Los Granadians del Espacio Exterior
The Maytones

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  1. May 3, 2024
  2. April 24
  3. April 5
  4. January 19
  5. January 12
  6. November 3, 2023
  7. August 11
  8. June 9
  9. March 24
  10. March 17
  11. January 10
  12. July 15, 2022
  13. April 29
  14. March 14
  15. December 17, 2021
  16. December 17
  17. November 23
  18. November 4
  19. July 9
  20. January 15
  21. June 27, 2020
  22. May 30
  23. May 20
  24. April 15
  25. November 8, 2019
  26. November 8
  27. October 29
  28. May 17
  29. December 14, 2018
  30. December 14
  31. November 30
  32. November 30
  33. November 22
  34. November 22
  35. August 10
  36. June 1
  37. May 25
  38. April 27
  39. July 14, 2017
  40. June 23