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Yes, indeedy - Blood and Fire are the absolute dons when it comes to reggae re-issues.
There's nothing better than whacking on of their compliations on, turning up the bass and the volume on your speakers, and watching them bounce across the floor. (Not to be recommended if you have sensitive neighbours - or expensive speakers.)
Other artists/producers who come well recommended include:
Horace Andy, who made a bit of a comeback thanks to Massive Attack but whose 70s records were absolutely brilliant.
The man has got one of the best voices in music going, and it would be a shame for everyone to only have a copy of it on Blue Lines.
Gregory Isaacs, the Cool Ruler who - like many reggae artists - has a bit of a patchy recording career but is an absolue gem if you get the right album - listen to a few first. Night Nurse comes highly recommended as a good tune, and I've got one of his albums on Acid Jazz, of all labels, which is great.
Junior Murvin, whose Police and Thieves you will have got if you've bought Arkology, or you may have heard being used in the most stereotypical way imaginable (ie: near a load of people smoking weed) in [spits] Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
However, the album's still a cracker.
Burning Spear, who have a massive fan in Mark Lamaar - who strikes me as an odd authority on reggae, but proved himself to be so recently on Radio Two (aaaarrgh, I listened to Radio Two? Shoot Me!)
During this brilliant series on Reggae - which I don't know how he got onto Radio Two - he pointed out that if Burning Spear were a rock band, then every home would have a copy of their song 'Social Living.'
King Tubby - Butan influence on practically more genres than anyone else except perhaps Elvis Presley is unfair to the (proper) King - Elvis was a hero to most, but he never meant shit to me.
Sly and Robbie are among the great players in Reggae - they were most recently in the news with their album with trip-hopper and U2 producer (though I'm not sure he likes being reminded) Howie B, but they've played with everyone, from the sublime (Serge Gainsbourg, Marley) to the ridiculous (Simply Red).
Having said that, there are tons of other brilliant players and groups who never got the recognition they deserve. I'm only giving Sly and Robbie props cos they're popping into my mind at the mo'
Oh, and if you are going to only own one Bob Marley album - look at it this way (in the UK at least).
Legend is about £15 nowadays, unless you get it in a sale.
Buy the Songs of Freedom Boxset instead - it's only about £30 if you shop around, and it's a hell of a lot wider ranging and far better value for your cash. |
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But thanks for doing it anyway. 
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