Reggae By Edward Charalambou

The beginning! Reggae developed from ska and rocksteady. In the 1960’s. The change from the genre of rocksteady to reggae was illustrated by organ shuffle musicians from Jamaica like Jackie Mittoo and Winston Wright and these featured in singles like “ say what you’re saying” (1967) by Clancy Eccles. Also “people funny boy”(1968) by lee ‘scratch’ Perry. But the earliest identified track that is today known as reggae is “long shot” by the pioneers in 1968. In early 1968 is when the first actual reggae album was released. This was “nanny goat” by Larry by Larry Marshall and then “no more heartaches” by the beltones the same year. Later that year Reggae didn't really exist before about 1968. Some claim that "People funny boy" by Lee Perry (1968) was the first reggae song.

Musical style Ska- Ska originated from jazz. If you kept the tempo the same and increased he drum it would become funk. But slow down the entire rhythm, take out the improvisation and it becomes reggae. For example “Lee Oswald” by the Skatalites. Rocksteady- rocksteady has the off beat guitar, the lively bass and the drums have the cymbal, kit sound typical of reggae. E.g. “Road of Life” by The Heptones.

How has reggae developed science the 60’s? Since the 60’s bands and solo artists like UB40, madness, shaggy have kept the genre alive. Reggae in Australia originated in the 1980s. Desert Reggae is a developing contemporary style originating in Central Australia. In Ethiopia, Dub Colossus and Invisible System emerged in 2008 sharing core members, and have received lots of appreciation. Europe's biggest reggae festival, takes place in Cologne, Germany and sees crowds of 25,000 or more. Rototom Sunsplash, a week long festival which used to take place in Osoppo, Italy, until 2009, is now held in Benicassim, Spain and gathers up to 150,000 visitors every year. The style is very popular today and is still growing.

Important recording artist in reggae! Studio One has recorded and released music by (and had a large hand in shaping the careers of) artists including: The skatalites Jimmy Cliff The Ethiopians Bob Marley and the wailers Lee “scratch” perry Madness are a British reggae band from the UK and have not been recorded by studio One but are a very influential reggae band.

Where are the important artists from? Bob Marley is from nine mile, saint Ann in Jamaica. The skatalites are from Jamaica. Jimmy cliff is from the Somerton district, St James, Jamaica The Ethiopians are from Jamaica. Lee “scratch” penny is from Jamaica. Madness are from the UK.

The skatalites The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period. They reformed in 1983 and have played together ever since.

Bob Marley and the wailers Bob Marley and the Wailers were a Jamaican reggae band created by Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. The band formed when self-taught musician Hubert Winston McIntosh met Neville Livingston and Robert Nesta Marley (Bob Marley) in 1963. In Late 1963 Junior Braithwaite, Beverley Kelso, and Cherry Smith had joined the Wailers. After Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer left the band in 1974, Bob Marley began touring with new band members. His new backing band included brothers Carlton Barrett and Aston "Family Man" Barrett on drums and bass, Junior Marvin and Al Anderson on lead guitar, Tyrone Downie and Earl "Wya" Lindo on keyboards, and Alvin "Seeco" Patterson on percussion. The "I Threes", consisting of Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, and Marley's wife Rita, provided backing vocals. Bob Marley and the wailers made a song Called “3 little birds”

Jimmy cliff Jimmy cliff born James chambers is a Jamaican music artist. He plays many instruments and is a singer and actor. He is the only living musician to hold the order of merit , the highest honor that can granted by the Jamaican government for arts an science. Jimmy cliff is more known for his songs, “wonderful world” and “ beautiful people” these songs and many more helped popularize reggae across the world.

Lee “scratch” Perry Lee "Scratch" Perry was born Rainford Hugh Perry, 20 March 1936, Kendal, Jamaica is a seminal Jamaican reggae producer noted for his innovative studio techniques and production values. Perry was one of the main pioneers in the development of dub music with his early adoption of effects and remixing to create new instrumental or vocal versions of all ready existing reggae tracks. Perry has worked with Bob Marley and the Wailers, Junior Murvin, the Congos and Max Romeo. He is a part of the Rastafari movement.

Madness Madness are an English ska band from Camden Town, London, that formed in 1976. One of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s 2 Tone ska revival, they continue to perform with their line-up of seven members. Madness achieved most of their success in the early to mid-1980s. Madness 214 weeks on the UK singles charts over the course of the decade, holding the record for most weeks spent by a group in the 1980s UK singles charts. However, Madness achieved this in a shorter time period (1980–1986). Madness have had 15 singles reach the UK top ten, one UK number one single "House of Fun” and two number ones in Ireland, "House of Fun" and "Wings of a Dove".

Bands/solo artists songs influenced by reggae Can't Stand Losing You - The Police Can't Tek Me No More - Dizzee Rascal Cherry Oh Baby - The Rolling Stones Crown - Jay-Z D'yer Maker - Led Zeppelin Die Young Stay Pretty – Blondie Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? - Culture Club Don't Leave Me - Nelly Furtado

Rastafarianism The Rastafari movement is an African-based spiritual ideology that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica. It is sometimes described as a religion but is considered by many adherents to be a "Way of Life”. Its adherents worship Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia (ruled 1930–1974), some as Jesus in his Second Advent, or as God the Father. Members of the Rastafarians way of life are known as Rasta's, or the Rastafarian. The way of life is sometimes referred to as "Rastafarianism", but this term is considered derogatory and offensive by most Rastafarians, who, being highly critical of "isms" (which they see as a typical part of "Babylon culture"), dislike being labeled as an "ism" themselves.

Rasta flag What do the colours on the Rasta flag mean? The red of the flag is there to show the blood of the black people. The yellow represents the stolen gold. The green represents of the lost land of Africa.

Where is Jamaica? Jamaica is an island just off central America. The capital city is Kingston and it is a small island where reggae is a big part of the culture.

Marijuana Marijuana/cannabis is a religious ceremonial practice that Rastafarians use to worship and meditate. They consider marijuana to be the Tree of Life from the Bible. They call it Ganja, and it has been said that the plant is "the healing of the nations."

Fashion Reggae's fashion is very colorful and everyone knows what they dress like. People know this because they wear mostly the colours on the Rastafarian flag; red, yellow and green. Even though they have these colours they have black in the clothes and hats too. Rastafarian dreadlocks originated in Africa with the Maasai tribes of Kenya and they believe that, just like Samson the Nazarite, a man's strength rests in the length of the hair hence he who chooses to cut his hair gives away that strength. This is why they have dreadlocks. Rastafarians wear a Rasta cap which is a tall round hat which is brightly coloured.