Rockers: The Original Soundtrack From The Film
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (25 October, 1990)
list price: $17.98
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Editorial Review

This infrequently seen Jamaican cult flick gave birth to a deeply evocative album that stands strong on its own. Rockers does give a nod toward the idea of updating The Harder They Come's examination of the country's hit parade--the Heptones' "Book of Rules" and Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves" are key singles from reggae's mid-'70s period--but moves with its own undeniable flow. The music's toughness and spirituality are complemented by ineffable atmospherics and an inspired sequencing job. The art of the soundtrack compilation has rarely reached such heights before or since. --Rickey Wright ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (5)

Jah Lives
If you are a true roots reggae fan, you must have this Album & the Movie!It is the most inspirational, touching album in the universe!The lyrics and the message, which each artist wrote is beyond anyone's reach. This album is indeed legendary due to each crucial reggae masters. "Jah No Deh" is indeed my favorite song because it reaches unfathomably in my soul.For those who have heard it and is a true believer of the "Almighty Jah"can identify that the voice is really an angel from the heaven's above.
One Love,
Coco PB. (Washington, DC)

Jah Lives
If you are a true roots reggae fan, you must have this Album & the Movie!It is the most inspirational, touching album in the universe!The lyrics and the message, which each artist wrote is beyond anyone's reach. This album is indeed legendary due to each crucial reggae masters. "Jah No Deh" is indeed my favorite song because it reaches unfathomably in my soul.For those who have heard it and is a true believer of the "Almighty Jah"can identify that the voice is really an angel from the heaven's above.
One Love,
Coco PB. (Washington, DC)

great movie, great soundtrack
this is an incredible group of songs.it's such a shame that the CD is so hard to find. ... Read more

Asin: B000003QHI
Subjects:  1. Pop    2. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Mutabaruka is a reggae legend and polymath: He has demonstrated stellar production chops and has notched numerous dub sessions as a poetic vocal performer and composer. His work on Gathering of the Spirits, abridges Mutabaruka's various pasts. His vocals shine on "What About the Land?" and he is likewise responsible for envisioning and executing this entire extravaganza of 12 marquee Jamaican talents doing rootsy, in-studio live reggae. The biggies are all here: Culture, Big Youth, Pablo Moses, Hortense Ellis, and Judy Mowatt. And they're backed by drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare, among other greats. The tunes are all walloping even while being low-key and laid back. They exude their slinking group-think elements, coming off as well as any all-roots Sunsplash festival could do in miniature. The vibe is largely acoustic and spry and unabashedly political. It's been a long while since anyone compiled a bevy of artists to delve into roots traditional reggae and dub, and Mutabaruka has pulled off a true coup here, a feast for reggae lovers. --Andrew Bartlett ... Read more

Asin: B000007MZH
Subjects:  1. Dub Poetry    2. Political Reggae    3. Pop    4. Reggae   

Third World Cop: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1999 Film)
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (22 February, 2000)
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Editorial Review

Third World Cop is already the highest-grossing theatrical release in Jamaican movie history. While it remains to be seen how the follow-up to Dancehall Queen and the spiritual descendant of the classic The Harder They Come will fare elsewhere, it won't suffer from lack of a soundtrack. Music is integral to Jamaican culture, and heavy hitters such as Sly & Robbie (the infamous Riddim Twins) ensure that Third World Cop's grooves aren't third-rate knockoffs. Beenie Man comes out firing. Young reggae singer Luciano tackles the Junior Murvin classic "Police & Thieves." In between is what convincingly could be called gangsta reggae, tracks where authority is questioned and resistance encouraged. The Caribbean grooves are not limited by tradition, either.Innocent Crew are contemporary DJs and singers who accent dub with shots of pure hip-hop. The Marley Brothers update the '70s classic "Call the Police" with fresh raps. --Rob O'Connor ... Read more

Features

• Soundtrack

Reviews (2)

Dancehall tunes for a freshSelecta
Third World Cop as a movie follows all the cliches of Jamaican cinema. It is short on plot and long on violence. But it has a great soundtrack. The majority of the music here is produced by Sly and Robie. They provide an intro, a score, and an instrumental. "Softcore Surge" has a pinch of latin and jungle influence thrown in. Sly and Robie make the beats for most of the vocal tracks. Included are two bubblegum reggae pop songs, "Dungle Boogy" with Beenie Man, and "Police and Thieves" by Luciano. There are quite a few great tracks that sound good without being cheesy. "Fake Names", "Soca Noma", and "Call The Police" all have catchy choruses and skilled rapping. The only bizarre song he is "Man a Bad Man" which has some terrible female toasting. Overral this is an incredible disc. The music here accurately represents whats up in tha Janaican scene right now.

third world cop
it was are grate movie to see ... Read more

Asin: B00004NRXE
Subjects:  1. Film Music    2. Original Score    3. Pop    4. Soundtracks & Film Scores   

Ragga Essentials: In a Dancehall Style
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (23 May, 2000)
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Reviews (1)

The Bomb
Anyone who listens to and loves dancehall MUST own this CD! ... Read more

Asin: B00004T9WS
Sales Rank: 53721
Subjects:  1. Club/Dance    2. Contemporary Reggae    3. Dancehall    4. Pop    5. Ragga    6. Reggae    7. Reggae-Pop    8. Rocksteady    9. Roots Reggae   

Power of the Trinity: Great Moments in Reggae Harmony
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (21 January, 1997)
list price: $17.98
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Reviews (1)

Spirtual Food for Your Soul and Ears!
This compliation is truly one of a handful of albums that have had a deep impact on me - a person with little experience with Reggae music. All the songs on this CD were selected to reflect the spiritual roots of reggae.The songs are inspiring and lifted me up with them.If you want to feel the struggle and the hope, get this CD!

If you are a fan of reggae music, you may appreciate the history and the nicely done liner notes. ... Read more

Asin: B000000DZ1
Sales Rank: 290263
Subjects:  1. Dub    2. Political Reggae    3. Pop    4. Reggae    5. Rocksteady    6. Roots Reggae   

Tougher Than Tough: The Story Of Jamaican Music
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (16 November, 1993)
list price: $59.98
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Editorial Review

Over the course of four CDs, this is the essential musical history of the loudest island in the world, with the emphasis on essential. It starts in the time before ska, and brings it all up to the dominance of dancehall in the '90s. Along the way there's ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dub; 95 great tracks, every single one a classic. About the only major artist not represented is Lee Perry, and his productions sneak in there. Steve Barrow's notes will carry you through the story. This is about as perfect as they come, in both form and content. Chris Nickson ... Read more

Features

• Box set

Reviews (22)

Foundational ska reggae from the island that started it
This set is the best of several sets I have collected with early ska and reggae music.Read the list of songs: early Maytals, Wailers, Bob Marley, and more.This collection has historical value and all that. But most importantly it is very listenable and danceable.

The King of Reggae compilations
I bought this set when I was in the infancy of my interest in Jamaican music and Jamaica. Every song is truly special in a historical and musical sense! I started off listening to Bob Marley and then found this gem.
I first listened to this set one night, soon after I came back from Jamaica, whilst sipping Blue Mountain coffee and burning incense(only!)---I was back in Jamaica...I still love the set even after listening to it a hundred times.If you are looking for sappy, cheesy generic reggae music you're looking in the wrong place. Once you buy the set, you will keep it forever--A real classic.Enjoy, Mon!

An AMAZING BOX SET
I bought this CD set on a whim in 1993. It is one of the most amazing impulse purchases I have ever made!!! You hear the development of a nation's music. Great written info and pics accompany the 4 CDs - it adds color and background. But to fully appreciate the roots of ska and reggae, you just kick back and listen to the cds, from song one on cd one. Truly a journey. ... Read more

Asin: B000003QLC
Subjects:  1. 60's    2. 70's    3. Dancehall    4. Dub    5. Jamaica    6. Lovers Rock    7. Political Reggae    8. Pop    9. Ragga    10. Reggae    11. Reggae-Pop    12. Rocksteady    13. Roots Reggae    14. Ska    15. Smooth Reggae    16. Soul   

Reggae for Kids
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (14 April, 1992)
list price: $11.98 -- our price: $10.99
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Reviews (11)

My Boy loves this CD
My 2-3 year old son loves this CD, he learned how to sing "over the rainbow". It's reggae value is questionable but I can stand to listen to this over and over.

AVOID this bland, offensively inauthentic disk!!!
I procured this CD with great expectations & excitement (I mean, it has "Puff the
Magic Dragon" for God's sake!).To my horror, this album was produced by people
with no love, & no respect for Reggae (or musical performance in general).This
music will disappoint (or even offend) people who truly know and/or love Reggae
music...

In "Reggae for Kids" the Reggae rhythms are [just] rock beats (none of
the polyrhythms inherent in Reggae/No One-Drop), and the (all identical sounding)
backing tracks are programmed... , and out-of place
smooth-jazz-esque sax solos?!?!? The vocalists are talented enough, but on this
recording, their contributions sound forced, uninspired, & unconvincing.

The ONLY Reggae-like characteristic of this recording is the (light) Jamaican accents of the vocalists.Yellowman's version of "This Old Man" ("Ye-llow-man") is the most compelling of these ... tracks ....The rest are monotonous & cheesy.

If you want to expose your kids to Reggae, do them (& yourself) a favor- start with the authentic(but approachable) classics:Black Uhuru (Ultimate Collection) or Bob Marley compilation (Natural Mystic/Legend)!For African music try Youssou N'Dour ("Immigres", "Set", or "Guide") or Salif Keita ("Best of: Golden Voice" or Soro).

Reggea For Kids
This is a Great CD for children and parents to sing along with. It brings back memories of my own childhood. ... Read more

Asin: B000000Q2D
Sales Rank: 11867
Subjects:  1. 80's    2. Alternative Rap    3. Dancehall    4. Dub    5. East Coast Rap    6. Golden Age    7. Hip-Hop    8. Lovers Rock    9. Pop    10. Ragga    11. Reggae    12. Reggae-Pop    13. Roots Reggae   

Calling Rastafari
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (30 September, 1997)
list price: $15.98 -- our price: $15.98
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Reviews (3)

Surprisingly good
From the liner notes:

"'Calling Rastafari' is an anthology of Rastafarian roots reggae recorded primarily during a three-day period in early February '81 at the Harry J Studio in Kingston, Jamaica...

...When Culture arrived (at the studio), lead singer Joseph Hill looked broadly about and, seeing the Gladiators, Wailing Souls, Mighty Diamonds and Itals, said "Dis yah a roots session."

That's all you need to know.Every cut is a previously unreleased, yet amazing version.The three Culture tracks alone make it an incredible album.

There are some pretty cheesy reggae compilations out there, but this CD is one of the best roots albums I've heard.

THe sickest roots music
If you are lucky to have stumbled onto this CD here on in a store get it! A word to the wise the cheapest reggae cds are often the best.. this roots session is so sick, culture, wailing souls, gladiators, itals, mighty diamonds, i mean come on, the two dubs are pretty sick too. the only problem i think is that although'herbs pirate' is so sick i think they should have put on another itals song cause 'herbs pirate' is pretty well known, maybe same goes for 'bongo red' (think i have 4 versions of that song) but the cd as a whole outshines any flaws. the culture section is excellent, "my thoughts" is sick, habour shark...anyways it all rocks

Best roots compilation ever!
A righteous skanked out jam session by some of reggaes finest musicians. I have not found these tracks/versions anywhere else. I have owned this on LP for 12 years and now it is finally on cd, a good thing because my vinyl waswearing out(and Flea scratched it). Give thanks and praises. Jah Liveth. ... Read more

Asin: B000003901
Sales Rank: 169970
Subjects:  1. Dancehall    2. Dub    3. Pop    4. Reggae    5. Rocksteady    6. Roots Reggae    7. Ska   

The Best of Studio One, Vol. 1
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (17 August, 1989)
list price: $16.98 -- our price: $16.98
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Editorial Review

Coxsonne Dodd's Kingston, Jamaica, recording studio may have lacked the latest equipment, but it was the laboratory where such legends as guitarist Ernie Ranglin experimented and made their greatest riddimic [cq] discoveries, and where young singers like Sugar Minott, the Wailing Souls, and The Heptones refined their vocal chops. During the time period covered in this first volume of Heartbeat's Studio One series (ca. late 1960s to early '70s), Ranglin and other stellar musicians like The Skatalites were the house band, composing tracks on the spot but usually uncredited on the innumerable vinyl classics that the studio churned out. Diehard reggaeites will recognize virtually every track but still thrill to hear The Cables' "Baby Why" elide into The Termites' "My Last Love," and a very young Dennis Brown's "Impossible" giving way to "The Heptone's "Party Time." Nonreggae-heads will wonder what they've been listening to these past 30 or so years. --Elena Oumano ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A Classic
Very solid comp from Heartbeat's collection of studio one masters.Heartbeat seems to have the best backlog of these old classics.To the listener of samples: The best tracks on this album are not those highlighted (Row, Fisherman Row by the Wailing Souls, Mr DC by Sugar Minott, and Jah Promise by Johnnie Osbourne are songs that any reggae fan will cling to.)

This is my fourth copy of this album (and NO you can't borrow it).

Ride Natty Ride...to Studio 1
I dont know what it is about this Studio 1 compilation but Coxone Dodd definitely did it right every time! Every track in my opinion is just a incredible roots track that really represents what "roots,rock reggae" is and was. Each track is really raw in the sense that you can tell that they didnt use any sophisticated recording techniques and they could still fill the song up with absolute roots creativity. Nothing was polished up or pampered, just true roots. In my opinion the Gladiators song makes the collection even more appealing. Bottom line this collection is def a roots reggae must have!

Reggae that you can listen to.
Take me back to a time when reggae was easy to listen to.Old school reggae is becoming obscure with the explosion of slack lyrics.These songs were about love, life, and politics.Before Bob Marley became a superstar, he was a member of the Wailing Souls.Listen to the nasal sounds of "Row Fisherman Row" and you'll start grooving to the lyrical tunes.Get this CD collection of reggae greats. ... Read more

Asin: B0000003XJ
Subjects:  1. 70's    2. 80's    3. Dancehall    4. Dub    5. Pop    6. Reggae    7. Rocksteady    8. Roots Reggae    9. Ska   

Reggae Greats: Strictly for Lovers
Average Customer Review:
Audio CD (05 September, 1989)
list price: $14.98
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Reviews (2)

Great Compilation of Lovers Rock
Before Dancehall and beside Rastafarian, Lovers Rock was the more popular reggae music in Jamaica during the 70s and 80s. Certainly its elements are seen in Dancehall today. Popular artist like Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, and Beres Hammond had much more compositions dealing with relationships, love, and everyday events which appealed to the commom man in Jamaica; contrary to popular belief, not everyone there is a Rastafarian and wears dreadlocks. Lovers Rock borrowed heavily from 60s and 70s American soul & R&B music and simply adapted the melodies to the trademark reggae rhythmn.

This compilation was something that someone else picked up and I began loving it after listening to it on a road trip. Now, I swear by this CD for anyone who is not familiar with this style. Every artist's song fits well on this CD; even Aswad who are traditionally Rastafarian in their lyrics and music approach had a couple of love-stylie songs in their body of work. "Wide Awake In a Dream" and "Key to the World" are beautiful adaptations of American R&B and are both favorites of mine. The Tamlins are, in my opinion, the most underrated Lovers Rock group of them all and their song, "Go Away Dream" reminds me of the Temptations or even the Delfonics.
Yes, there is more to reggae than meets the ear. This CD proves that.

Have you ever been in love?
While the album quality is uneven, the tunes, "Dim the Lights", "Roots Rockin'", "Have you Ever Been In Love", and "Love and Devotion" are all very good, if you like smooth, over produced, reggae, which I do.

One of my favorite albums, but then, I am a lover. ... Read more

Asin: B000003QIO
Sales Rank: 86519
Subjects:  1. 70's    2. 80's    3. Dancehall    4. Lovers Rock    5. Pop    6. Reggae    7. Reggae-Pop    8. Rocksteady    9. Roots Reggae    10. Smooth Reggae