Reggae is “cerebral, socio-political, sensual and spiritual,” said Unesco. Quite right, too.
Please post your favourite Reggae songs here.
To kick things off, this is the track that started it all, The Maytals – Do The Reggay.
The UN Declare Reggae A Cultural Treasure
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Stupid arse here… “That’s not a picture of the Maytals!”
Mind you, while I’m here…
There’s that joke about the Irishman in the desert who finds a magic lamp, rubs it and out pops a genie.
“You have three wishes” says the magic fella
“God, I’m awful thirsty, I’d love a pint of Guinness”, says the man
Suddenly, there’s a creamy pint in his hand and, being so parched, he downs it in a couple of gulps.
But even as he’s wiping away his froth moustache the glass begins to fill again for it’s a magic pint.
“Begob, I’ll have two more of those”, says our man.
I have, for many years, thought Jamaican music is like that magic pint. Every year I hear more and more great sounds and I still seem to be as far away from reaching the end of it as I’ve ever been..
Amen. There’s a magic well on that island of Dyer Maker.
One trusts the UN will appoint Paul Nicholas as international ambassador.
Probably this – have this somewhere on a reissue 7.
And this – a beautiful record – has to be this mix:
I love Reggae particularly Ska and Dub strands of the genre.
However I am going to be mainstream for this post.
Uptown Top Ranking by Althea and Donna is one of my favourite singles ever. Joyous and gets me singing and grooving every time I hear – even if I have no clue on the lyrics!!
Anything with what Mrs P calls that funny little lovely old chap with the incredible voice.
Is that Ranking Mrs P?
For me, it has to be Dawn Penn and No, No, No
.
..but maybe this one too.
I could play this on a loop all day:
And me @atcf
A heresy perhaps, but Jamaica is not he only country producing fine reggae.
There’s the Cote d’Ivoire.
And Iceland of course!
I’ll get my coat!
When your country has elected a Beast of Babylon, like Bolsonaro, to be president, then the righteous and the sufferahs are in bad need of some sweet reggae music to raise their spirits.
Mercifully Brazil has several very popular reggae bands such as Natiruts.
Even the former minister of culture knows the Marley songbook very well.
I completely agree with UNESCO’s comments about reggae music.
But, to be cynical for a moment, will their statement make a difference in any way?
Maybe the snootier members of the cultural establishment in some countries will be put in their place. Perhaps we will see a few more reggae musicians being appointed minister of culture?
UNESCO has for for this sort of thing (which likes an empty gesture to me):
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/uilleann-piping-01264
As this article comments, the odd thing about this declaration is that reggae is doing very well for itself anyway and scarcely in danger of fading out.
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/29/671846799/reggae-a-voice-for-all-added-to-intangible-cultural-heritage-list-by-unesco?t=1543597246559
Long shot kick the bucket is not in the same league as the spring rituals of the horse traders of Kazakstan. Time for the Pioneers!
And one more gem from the golden age.
Junior Murvin – Police and Thieves
What is it about Reggae and Monkeys?
Toots & The Maytals – Monkey Man
Dave & Ansel Collins – Monkey Spanner
Harry J All Stars – The Liquidator
Just in case there are some alien bengs who stumble across this thread this evening who have not heard there tracks……
Sophia George – Too Girly girly
The Congos – Fisherman
Dennis Brown – Money in my pocket
Actually, long before UNESCO discovered reggae, here on the AW we had a thread where we mentioned our favourite songs. Based on your suggestions, I created a playlist which should keep you all feeling irie all weekend long.
Let’s have some more Jamaican vocal harmony trios:
Abyssinians – Declaration Of Rights
Mighty Diamonds – Right Time
And some dub:
Prince Far I – Bedward The Flying Preacher
This is the dub/reggae album I turn to time and time again. I never tire of it.
CD 2 of Bob Marley and the Wailers Live At The Roxy is incendiary.
Get Up Stand Up/No More Trouble/War
UK 2012 represent
Lloyd Robinson Cuss Cuss…..