Great post – some really good recs in here, particularly for anyone new to the genre. Some personal favourites that haven’t been mentioned yet. Have stuck to albums rather than comps, but as @bornin69x says, loads of the best reggae is on non-album singles, most released in Jamaica.
- Bob Marley and the Wailers – African Herbsman
Wailers produced by Lee Scratch Perry. Recommended to anyone whether they like usually like reggae or not. Some of the greatest music ever recorded. Obviously love his Island albums too, but this is always the best Marley for me.
- John Holt – Time Is The Master
Probably my favourite singer. Watched him at Glastonbury a few years back and was in tears throughout the entire set (I don’t normally do this btw, and had had a very heavy couple of days!). Produced by Harry Mudie who was known for exceedingly smooth production (there are strings overdubs and everything) which when paired with the smoothest voice in Jamaica could have meant a syrupy mess, but this is just perfect. Again, recommended to anyone, whether you like reggae usually or not.
- Dillinger – Talkin’ Blues (aka ‘Dillinger’ / aka ‘Superstar’)
From one extreme to the other. As hard as they come. Released out in ’77 at the height of reggae’s crossover success and made not a single concession to the Western market. No overdubs, no backing singers, nothing except Dillinger toasting over some of the Aggrovators’ hardest beats, followed by a Tubby’s version, all presented in a showcase style.
- Earth & Stone – Kool Roots
Best full length to come out of Channel One studios in my opinion, even better than ‘Right Time’ by the Mighty Diamonds (and that is really saying something). Did well in Jamaica, but no crossover success at all, which is pretty surprising. Perfect example of the mix of heavy rhythms and amazing singing that defined Channel One’s dominance during the mid 70s. Recently reissued by Pressure Sounds.
- Joe Higgs – Life of Contradiction
Beautiful early reggae album by Bob Marley’s mentor that was supposed to come out on Island Records in 1972, but for some unknown reason Chris Blackwood shelved it. Eventually came out in 1975 in Jamaica only, when the prevailing trends in reggae had changed massively, and sunk like a stone. Has subsequently enjoyed its belated place in the sun thanks to another Pressure Sounds reissue. Not a pure reggae album at all – there’s some jazz, rock and soul influences too – and the song writing is as good as you will hear anywhere.
- The Prophets [Yabby You] – Conquering Lion
The heaviest roots album ever made. Nothing else even comes close. Wouldn’t recommend it as a starting point for someone new to reggae, but if you’ve gone through the classics and liked what you’ve heard, this will blow you away. Listened to the title track while super stoned on the night my dog died and pretty much had a religious experience.
- Keith Hudson - Flesh of My Skin: Blood of My Blood
Impossible to pick just one Keith Hudson record, but this would be up there. Again, he’s probably not the best jumping in point for people new to reggae, but classic era Lee Scratch Perry and Bunny Lee aside, probably has the best discography in reggae. He’s got a really idiosyncratic take on the genre and great for anyone who thinks they’ve heard everything reggae has to offer.
- Sylford Walker - Lamb’s Bread
To give some shine to a hugely underrated singer and particularly producer, Glen Brown. Due to financial constraints he was only part time compared to other producers in reggae’s heyday, but he was also a total perfectionist, meaning everything he put out is solid gold. Think this is the only full length he ever did, but there are some great compilations of his singles out there which are buy on sight stuff. In particular, ‘Termination Dub’, a compilation of the version sides to his best singles, all mixed by King Tubby, is in my view the best dub album you can get.
