History of Reggae (Music Library)

Examines the history of reggae music, from its beginnings in Jamaican ska and rocksteady rhythms and its explosion in popularity due to Bob Marley to its current standing in world music.

Gr. 7-10. Amounting to a general overview of Jamaican music, this dry but wide-ranging entry in the Music Library series takes the story of reggae from its roots in the cultures of African slaves to the 2003 release of Ziggy Marley's first solo album and the rise of the controversial Bobo Ashanti style. Also included in the survey are looks at the genre's many forms: mento, sound system, ska, rocksteady, dub, and dancehall, among others. Infrequent, poorly reproduced black-and-white photos may not attract browsers, but Kallan's text presents a coherent picture of a vital musical landscape, enhanced by side essays, social and musicological analysis to go with the performer profiles, endnotes, and further reading lists. Curiously, no discography is provided. Though Lloyd Bradley's This Is Reggae Music (2001) boasts a livelier tone and richer illustrations, this will reward assignment-driven reading; other genres recently covered by the series include gospel and blues music. John Peters
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