By Andrew Dansby

Certainly in this country, Bob Marley’s dreadlocked shadow is cast over all other reggae. His legend is so vast that there are two separate bands featuring former members of his groups: The Wailers, who have the formidable Aston “Family Man” Barrett, one of the greatest bassists of all time, and the Original Wailers (playing Friday night at Scout Bar), who have a pair of great Marley guitarists in Al Anderson and Junior Murvin.

Marley’s discography is largely golden, and even his numerous offspring have made some good recordings. But what follows are 10 great reggae albums by non-Marleys. I’ve further narrowed the field by not allowing ex-Wailers (Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer have done fine on their own) and no compilations. For old reggae hands, these are familiar classics. To those wishing to expand beyond Bob Marley’s Legend, it’s a decent starting place and suggests that 1976-78 was a banner period for the form. Reggae is very much a genre based on singles and its predecessors, ska and rocksteady, are best represented by singles compilations. But the list below makes a good argument for the reggae album.

10. Deidem, Taj Weekes and Adowa (2008): Lest it seem like quality reggae disappeared during the ’90s (though it kind of did), contemporary roots reggae singer Weekes has a high voice that reminds of Murvin and he traffics in the traditional.

 

1. Two Sevens Clash, Culture (1977): The political stuff is apocalyptic and the spiritual stuff is moving. This masterpiece sounds urgent years later.

2. Heart of the Congos, the Congos (1977): This duo hooked up with sometimes-superproducer Lee “Scratch” Perry for a diverse but gripping group of songs that many consider reggae’s best album.

3. Right Time, Mighty Diamonds (1976): This trio is a great link to reggae’s vocal roots in rocksteady. Their harmonies are the best in reggae.

4. Police and Thieves, Junior Murvin (1977): Not to be confused with the OW’s Junior Murvin, this roots reggae star has a high but fiery voice, the perfect vessel for his high-minded lyrics. Another great Lee Perry production.

5. Funky Kingston, Toots and the Maytals (1973): Soulful Toots Hibbert is reggae’s best singer and this has Pomp and Pride, one of his best songs. A reissue filled it out with stronger material.

6. War ina Babylon, Max Romeo and the Upsetters (1976): His naughtier inclinations made Romeo seem like a novelty singer. But here he gets serious and hooks up with Perry (him again) and the Upsetters for a masterpiece.

7. Red, Black Uhuru (1981): Him/her vocals and smart and angry songs about bad times in Jamaica. Lest it all seem to heavy, there’s Utterance, a beautiful ode to a spiritual awakening.

8. Marcus Garvey, Burning Spear (1975): Smart, historically minded album that is a cornerstone of roots reggae. And the backing music by the Black Disciples is tight and funky.

9. The Harder They Come, Jimmy Cliff/various (1972): It’s a soundtrack and thus cobbled together, but I’m making an exception for a wondrous reggae document. The songs are all great, and Cliff is the main contributor with the title track, Many Rivers to Cross and You Can Get It If You Really Want.

10. Deidem, Taj Weekes and Adowa (2008): Lest it seem like quality reggae disappeared during the ’90s (though it kind of did), contemporary roots reggae singer Weekes has a high voice that reminds of Murvin and he traffics in the traditional.