Product Description: The Rough Guide to Reggae is the only book of its kind available. The first two editions of the Rough Guide to Reggae were the top-selling books on the subject, and widely acclaimed by the music press and fans alike. Illustrated throughout with over 400 pictures, many of them exclusive photos, the book also features exclusive interviews with reggae’s top stars, and reviews over 500 albums. 2003 and 2004 have been the most successful years for reggae music on a global scale since the heyday of Bob Marley, with singers such as Sean Paul and Wayne Wonder regularly topping the UK and US pop charts. The new third edition of Rough Guide to Reggae is fully updated to cover this latest wave of Jamaican musicians, while not stinting on newly discovered recordings and reissues of classic albums of the past.
Amazon.com Review: Finally, a comprehensive guide covering the entire span of Jamaican music, from the 1950s mento and R&B through dub, dancehall and ragga. Along with interviews of crucial reggae personalities (Bunny Lee, King Jammy, and Coxsone Dodd, for example) and profiles of major careers (like Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott, and of course, Bob Marley), Barrow and Dalton provide the irreplaceable service of reviewing and recommending more than 1,000 CD and vinyl selections. The writers clearly love their topic and are exceedingly knowledgeable about it. The resulting guide is a combination of fascinating historical tidbits, scholarly attention to musical detail, and a definitive treatment of reggae's genre, artists, albums, and songs. --Stephanie Gold
If you do not understand the difference between Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae, after reading this book, you will. When one realizes the amount of reggae music one can find today, it can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating to understand let alone comprehend in selecting a good purchase. Prior to purchasing "The Rough Guide to Reggae" I did not know or understand the difference between Rockstady,Reggae,Roots music and how they differed from each other. The purchasing of this book was one of the best Reagge purchases i've ever made. Barrow and Dalton give you a chronological order to the music's beginning and its gradual development up to the present. Novices and experts alike cannot afford to be without this invaluable Reggae guide and indispensible reference book. It's money well spent and you will not be dissapointed.
Wait for 4th edition Great book, one of the best resources, along with allmusic.com. However, if you have the 1st or 2nd edition, there is not enough new here to warrant buying this, wait for 4th edition.
If you don't have any of the editions, which amazon sells all three, this is a great start as are the other two.
Niggling criticism A wonderful book that has introduced my to a lot of good music-- a good guide with some interesting stories spread throughout.
Most of the albums or collections deemed to be essential are truly "must haves".
Now the criticisms:
1 --- The book is organized by genres, or stages of Jamaican music, rather than by artist. So, if you are interestedin finding recordings by one particular artist you may need to thumb through the entire book to find albums recorded during different periods.
For example, recordings by artists like Lee Perry and the Wailing Souls are spread throughout the book. This would not be a problem if the Index was more informative. But the mere mention of an artist (in passing) is sufficient to earn them a spot in the index, rendering it pretty meaningless.
(Boldfacing entries with record reviews would help users better navigate through the book--but I guess that is a criticism of the Rough Guide editors)
2 --- The authors occassionally demonstrate a rather snide attititude towards reggae's "crossover" audience. That is, a non-Jamaican, and presumedly white audience. Sometimes this is expressed as a rather back-handed compliment. For example, Lee Perry is well reviewed, but the authors must add that his admirers come mostly from "crossover" audience.
Elsewhere, they are quite dismissive of Linton Kwesi Johnson for seemingly the same reason. They make some comment about his crossover (ie white) following and dismiss dub poetry in general. And that is too bad, because "Dread Beat and Blood" is an excellent album that deserves more recognitiion.
3 --- Too many of the reissues that I have purchased based on the a reivew in this book have lead me to buy albums in which one of the author's has written the linear notes. On the whole the collections have been quite good, but it does lead me to question their objectivity.
Jesus Dread by Yabby You is excellent collection, but not nearly as great as their review would lead you to think. ;)
All that said, you won't find a better guide.
very helpful reference & buyers guide My parents raised me on roots, but when I wanted to broaden my DUB collection, one of the resources I turned to was the Rough Guide.
Rough Guide is a great go-to reference for the history of different reggae sub-genres and makes a solid buying guide. I've not regretted any music purchases I've made using information from this book. It really helped steer me toward the kinds of music I enjoy and away from things I don't like quite so much, but it also suggested successful adventures I might never have tried otherwise.
One of the best The current Rough Guide covers the genesis of reggae and has a comprehensive discography guide to the music that began as ska and has evolved into the main stream culture of Jamaica and beyound the Jamaican community.
It would be easy to say that the book's crowning glory is it's many pictures both old and new of the many artists that has given the word reggae life and meaning. But the book is much more than that, it's a testament to the works of reggae performing artists and the inspiration behind those artists, the record producers....
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
