I have to give a shout out to this man, Mark Hull aka YT, and I promise that you will be seeing a whole lot more from him. On hearing some of the tunes on this album you would be forgiven for thinking that YT was as Jamaican as Jamaican can be, but truth be told, he hails from Ipswich, Great Britain and yes……he is whiter than white.

His debut album of 2006, Straight Outta Britain, offers the world a glimpse at the reggae scene in the UK. His tunes offer something for everyone, be that reggae, dancehall, roots or pop, and his lyrics are not only sublime but also in keeping with the positive message that reggae portrays. He is a versatile artist and looks to me like someone who can upset the stereotype of ‘If it’s not Jamaican, it’s not Reggae’; the Slim Shady of the reggae world if you will.

It has been a while since we heard anything new from YT and, given that this album was said to have been three years in the making, I think we are about due something new.

His voice distinctly patois, his background far from the Caribbean and his lyrics so fresh and poignant. Check out the voice here on a song titled ‘Wicked Act’, a serious dedication to the victims of the London bombings of 2005.

For anyone in Europe ‘Whitey’ can be found at the following venues on his upcoming tour.

Popularity: 13% [?]

20,000 surges of pure energy; 20,000 vibrations throughout your body; 20,000 people in one stadium. Why?

All brought together to witness the ultimate soca performer executing a high energy, high impact and indeed, a high definition performance. Without a doubt, this show was an alternative concept to Trinidad and an alternative concept to carnival.

I have been a concert/party go-er for almost ten years now, and I must admit that AC 3+3 really displayed value for money. I got to the Stadium a bit early. But this was a good thing, as I got there early enough to get some drinks and mark my territory very close to the stage.

Showing the symptoms of a successful concert from the start, Machel Montano HD pumped the crowd with anticipation by turning on the heat with Patrice Roberts and Macka Diamond, David Rudder and Sparrow. The eagerness of the crowd was felt in heart, as the entire crowd seemed drunk with joy. Not to mention that HD was introduced in such an avant-garde manner by a helicopter and a free-fall jump from the city’s atmosphere to a landing ground in the stadium.

These prelude performances were incomparable to the adrenaline overload in Port of Spain when the Miami superstar, Pitbull came onto the stage. “Defense” seemed to have injected every soul with the uncontrollably urge to dance. Personally, this alternative concept experience was very eye-opening to the fact that a baseline, rhythm and reggaeton artist can literally make you feel as though you were going mad. At this point, I was in the thick of the crowd, but moved further back into the stands to get a view of the crowd.

What I saw was phenomenal. Each person’s head seemed like a dot, multicolor waving (flags, rags, bandanas, cups…what have you…) in the air. By now, the performance was coming to an end, but winding down is far from the choice of words that I should use. “The heat….aaaaahhh….the heat”…the whole crowd chanted, before Montano recited his mission to “Blaze d Trail”. From back in the stands, the rapture of the massive audience is indescribable. All I can say is that the pulsation and chanting seemed almost demonic.

When HD’s presentation came to an end, this chunk of followers seemed almost stunned that the show was, in reality, over.

With no reservations, Montano has clearly illustrated the true definition of an artist.

Written by Jamie Jaggernauth

Popularity: 11% [?]

Reggae and dancehall purists will argue all day and all night about different ‘riddims’ with you but I won’t spend much time on the subject today. Essentially a ‘riddim’, or rhythm in non patois, is the beat to which a particular track is set to.  What used to be associated with the bassline and drum beat – back in the day of Sly & Robbies ‘Bam Bam’ riddim – has now been more widely used to refer to the entire backing track. As to the number of riddims out there today I could not even hazard a guess but I did find a database with 886 and counting over at Reggae Riddims.

Moving on though I wanted to just give you that intro before I announced one riddim that I am really into right now, it’s called the Rub A Dub riddim. I dug up a few tracks by some of my favourite reggae artists that use the Rub A Dub riddim and here are three of the best examples.

Anthony B – Striving

Richie Spice – The Plane Land

Morgan Heritage – Nothing To Smile About

Popularity: 25% [?]

Who Is Linton Kwesi Johnson?

Linton Kwesi Johnson, born on 24 August 1952 , is a Jamaican poet whose style of speaking his words over dub reggae music albums, is responsible for what came to be known as Dub Poerty. LKJ came to London in 1963 (aged 11) and starting writing poetry six years later. While still at school he joined the black panthers and simultaneously became involved in both politics and poetry. He became known simply as ‘The Poet’ and, usually in collaboration with British producer Dennis Bovell, Linton became the voice of the black people in Britain. He launched his own music label, LKJ Records, in 1981 and can still be found performing today…30 years on from his debut album.

What Is Dub Poetry?

Dub Poetry is a form of expression whereby the artist speaks, usually in Jamaican Patois, over dub reggae rhythms; it has much in common with Dancehall and Roots Reggae. You will find Dub Poetry a little different though as it is often highly political and tends to focus heavily on social justice. The term ‘Dub Poetry’ was coined to describe the musical style of LKJ just days after the release of his Dread, Beat An’ Blood album.

Dread, Beat An’ Blood?

This is Linton Kwesi Johnsons’ 1978 debut album, which expressed British black experiences like never before; police harrassment, the national front and violence in the black community are all issues he wrote about. Quite simply, this album is brilliant! It took everyone by surprise as LKJ voiced the concerns of a generation and it is amazing how fitting it is still to this day. The release of this album was a significant event both in Britain and beyond.

The album features tracks which include ‘It Dread Inna Inglan (for George Lindo)’, a protest song about George Lindo who was framed for robbery in Bradford before being released and awarded £25,000.

Anything Else?

Why yes….loads…for more Linton Kwesi Johnson please see his discography below.

Live in Paris – Wrasse, 2004
Straight to Inglan’s Head – Univeral, 2003.
LKJ in Dub: Volume 3 – LKJ Records, 2002.
Independent Intavenshan – Island, 1998 (Compilation).
More Time – LKJ Records, 1999.
LKJ A Cappella Live – LKJ Records, 1996.
LKJ Presents – LKJ Records, 1996.
LKJ in Dub: Volume 2 – LKJ Records, 1992.
Tings An’ Times – LKJ Records, 1991.
Dub Poetry – Mango, 1985 (Compilation).
LKJ Live in Concert with the Dub Band – LKJ Records, 1985.
Reggae Greats – Mango, 1984.
Making History – Island, 1983.
LKJ in Dub – Island, 1980.
The Best of Linton Kwesi Johnson – Epic, 1980 (Compilation).
Bass Culture – Island, 1980.
Forces of Victory – Island, 1979.
Dread Beat An’ Blood – Island, 1978

Here is Linton more recently with ‘More Time’

Popularity: 15% [?]

Trinidad and Tobago has begun to nurture its surge of reggae and conscious artists, more in 2008 than ever. In this light, the local reggae anthology can be regarded as the reggae roadblock of the Caribbean.

Due in part to its strategic location, the only island which blocks the Antilles from Latin America; in part to its heavy cultivation of marijuana fields; as well as in part to the reggae and conscious anthology presented by local artists…this island will begin to shine with the emergence of its reggae industry.

With its local humour indicated in the name, the Reggae Road Block is a compilation of the Trinidad local Reggae artists of the Caribbean Music Group label. These artists also perform in small group tours, uptown clubs and large park venue concerts throughout the country- and the compilation is strictly the best of Trinidadian reggae.

Although the local anthology started to grow in popularity late last year, it had been released since late 2006. But as the musicians began touring, performing and being heard, the Reggae Road Block can still be heard during morning traffic in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Road Block includes artists such as Million Voice, Isasha, Prophet Benjamin, Kig David, Mr. King, Ziggy, Royal Daintes, Jah Melody, Cutty and Isaac Blackman. Each and every time I hear the tunes on this album I smile.

I smile because we hear these songs on the way to and from work; I smile because we hear these songs while we smoke; I smile because there is a roadblock three times a week and more on holidays and I smile because I am Trinidadian and I am proud of the talent that hails from my country.

Track Listing:

Track 01 retty Boy – Prophet Benjamin
Track 02 on’t You Know – Isasha
Track 03 icture of Selassie I – Khari Kill
Track 04 :Oh Laventille – Mr. King
Track 05 :Usual Suspect – Prophet Benjamin
Track 06 :Coming from Moruga – Prophet Benjamin
Track 07 olitricks – Queen Omega
Track 08 :If I Didn’t Love You – Juicy aka Jah Bami
Track 09 :One Family – Million Voice
Track 10 :Saving All Your Love – King Shom & Prophet Benjamin
Track 11 :Got Something – Benjai
Track 12 :Jesus – Khari Kill
Track 13 :Bad Man – Scientist
Track 14 :Old Dog – Mr. King
Track 15 :Herbalize – Juicy aka Jah Bami
Track 16 :Coming from Bronx – Prophet Benjamin

Article written by Jamie Jaggernauth

Popularity: 22% [?]

I was looking throught my 120 gigs worth of reggae music on my laptop wondering what I can share with you all today when I noticed that there are a few tracks I have with multiple versions of the same song. After having spent the last hour of my life listening to some songs I never even knew existed…I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite reggae remixes.

As you may well know, it is commonplace for artists to offer remix versions of some of their popular tracks; if they don’t do it you can be sure that someone else will! It’s a bit of a mixed bag and I am sure you will all know the originals but as reggae fans we want the remix, right?!

1. Taurrus Riley – Stay With You (John Legend)

2. Wyclef Ft Eve – Your Love (The Outfield)

3. Alicia Keys Ft Junior Reid- No One Reggae Remix

4. Trevor Walters – Stuck On You (Lionel Richie)

5. Singing Melody – Let Me Love You (Mario)

Do you like these remixes? Do you have any that should be featured? Feedback and Comments are always welcome!!

Popularity: 12% [?]

Reggae – [Reg-ay] – noun

a style of Jamaican popular music blending blues, calypso and rock & roll, characterized by a strong syncopated rhythm and lyrics of social protest.

The term was thought to have been coined by Frederick Hibbert of ‘Toots and the Maytals’ in a song entitled ‘Do the Regay’, 1968. Rege meaning ragged! Since then, reggae music has been used as a rather broad term to encompass such a wide range of spin off genres and I wanted to introduce you to the more popular sub-genres that have now become so entwined with the name Reggae.

Ska

The documentary I posted on Reggae History offered a great insight on how Reggae music was born from ska, itself a Jamaican derivative of American Jazz and R & B. Ska is characterised by the leading horns and the ‘Skank’ guitar upstroke on the off beat while the drums keep a 4/4 beat. Following Jamaicas Independance from the UK in 1962, great Reggae artists such as Prince Buster, Derrick Morgan, Desmond Decker, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, The Skatalites and the Ethiopians produced something that took the country by storm.

Recomended Ska Listening:

The Beatmasters – Train to Skaville

Derrick Morgan – Tougher Than Tough

Desmond Dekker – Pretty African

The Skatalites – Guns Of Navarone

The Gaylads – Soul Sister

Dub

Dub is genre of reggae music that is highly, if not totally, instrumental. It is usually built around the use of electronic remixing equipment to add a number of effects to existing tracks and playing mixing them with a low pitch bass guitar. Dub was very influential in modern dance music and artists the world over will often have a dub version of at least one of thier tracks. Important names to know in the world of Dub are: King Tubby, Lee “Scratch” Perry, Scientist, Sublime and Augustus Pablo.

Recommended Dub Listening:

Iration Steppas – Locks

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry – Rainy Night Dub

Scientist – The Golden Goal

King Tubby – Waterhouse Rock

Augustus Pablo – Pipers Of Zion

Roots Reggae

Roots Reggae, is undoubtedly the most popular form of reggae today; it is arguably my favourite. With lyrics carrying positive messages, mostly recognised thanks to Bob Marley, roots reggae also speaks of marijuana and Rastafari. Other highly admired roots reggae artists are: Peter Tosh, Horace Andy, Black Uhuru, Gregory Isaacs, and The Abyssinians.

Recommended Roots Reggae Listening:

Culture – Never Get Weary

Johnny Clarke – Crazy Baldheads

U Roy – Natty Rebel

Peter Tosh – Legalize It

Steel Pulse – Chant A Psalm

Lovers Rock

Lovers Rock was popular in the late seventies to the mid eighties and can be characterized by its soft, quiet and somewhat tender musical style, infused with a smooth reggae beat. With Origins highly tied to south London lovers rock is also known as British lovers rock and was essesentially Jamaican reggae artists doing reggae versions of popular love songs. Here are some good examples of Lovers Rock Artists – Janet Kay, Ken Booth, Trevor Walters, Boris Gardener, Sugar Minott, John Holt and Dennis Brown.

Recommended Lovers Rock Listening:

Gregory Isaacs – Loving Pauper

Dennis Brown – Money In My Pocket

Alton Ellis – La La Means I Love You

Sugar Minott – Good Thing Going

Trevor Walters – Stuck On You

Dancehall

Dancehall is a more electronic form of reggae music, with heavily synthesized rhythms or ‘riddims’. Otherwise known as ‘bashment’, dancehall usually involves some highly controversial lyrics and is widely accpeted as the predecessor to modern Hip Hop. Artists to look out for include Elephant Man, Buju Banton,  Shabba Ranks, Super Cat, Shaggy, Vybz Kartel, Capleton, Beenieman and Bounty Killer.

Recommended Dancehall Listening:

Wayne Smith – Under Me Sleng Teng

Tanya Stephens – Big Ninja Bike

Mavado – Gangsta For Life

Elephant Man – Pon De River, Pon De Bank

Capleton – Or Wah

Reggae Culture

Reggae Culture is a more modern form of Roots Reggae, with notable artists including Morgan Heritage, Freddie McGregor, Tony Rebel and Sizzla. It is a mixture of methods from both dancehall and reggae, giving emphasis on the singing than the more electric sounds of the dancehall. The message is still that of socially conscious issues and Rastafari practices.

Recommended Reggae Culture Listening:

Morgan Heritage – Don’t Haffi Dread

Freddie McGregor – I See It In You

Sizzla – Dry Cry

Natty King – No Guns Town

Stephen Marley – Mind Control

Popularity: 39% [?]