The Reggae Box

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.com
Across four discs and 87 songs, The Reggae Box tells the tale of Jamaica's modern social and political history through a well-rounded survey of the island nation's popular music. Disc 1 begins at the height of the independence movement in the 1960s, celebrated here with the exuberant, optimistic ska that blended the tropical sounds of mento and calypso with American R&B. Ska morphed into the smoother rock steady style, as artists began discovering the subtlety of the grooves while further exploring the sweetness of American soul. By disc 2, roots reggae and Rastafarianism moves to the fore. Delroy Wilson's 1971 hit "Better Must Come" displays the slowed-down, slinky rhythms and social messages that would define this period. By 1974, Augustus Pablo's dub enters the picture, an echo-laden psychedelic style. A new sound emerges on disc 3, lighter in both lyrical content and musical depth. Dancehall was geared to locals looking for fun, losing its political and social agenda, adding synthesized sounds, digital trickery, and a "singjay" vocal style that was half-spoken, half-sung. By disc 4, the deejays and sound systems of dancehall are firmly entrenched as reggae's most prominent forces, often reviving "old-school" tunes in a modern style. While some artists returned to social commentary and Rastafarianism, many others sang of the grim realities of sex and violence.

The democratic approach to this set--each disc focuses on a single decade from the '60s through the '90s--gives listeners a broad and inclusive look at the genre's development and the shifts of popular taste. On the other hand, this goal of breadth may come at the expense of quality in some cases, especially if you believe that the '60s and '70s were clearly reggae's heyday. Still, as a comprehensive overview of Jamaican popular music of the last 40 years, complete with detailed song notes, informative essays that put the music in historical context, and attractive artwork and packaging, The Reggae Box has few flaws. --Marc Greilsamer

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Customer reviews

review by: Magnus Cromulus date: 2006-08-04 rating:
Amazing!
Despite the fact that some of the biggest names in reggae are missing (Lee "Scratch" Perry, Israel Vibrations, Alton Ellis, etc) this reggae box rules for two reasons:

1 - The song slection is pretty killer
2 - It acts as an excellent introduction to anyone looking to jump into reggae with both feet.

So put aside Beanie Man, sell your Matisyahu and trade in your Sean Paul CDs and pick this puppy up instead.

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review by: date: 2001-11-29 rating:
The Best Reggae Box yet!
An incredible follow-up to last year's equally delicious Funk Box. The fact that there is an entire disc of early ska/rocksteady was good enough for me to buy this. All 4 discs are perfect, non stop party music that everyone will enjoy. The packaging is stunning (you'll see what I mean the second you open it), the essays are very informative and well thought out and the track-by-track annotations tell the whole story. Everyone is on here (and although there is no solo Peter Tosh, he is in the Wailers who have 2 songs on Disc 2). So this is standing next to my Funk Box now (which you should pick up if you haven't already). Beautiful box. #1 X-mas present to all my friends and family this year. This box does indeed acquaint you with the "Routes of Jamaican Music." Buy this yesterday!! Rated A+ (5 STARS IN TOWER'S PULSE MAGAZINE THIS MONTH!). Jah Rastafari! This box has made the I-Man Irie! Peace-Jah Lion!

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review by: date: 2001-11-28 rating:
Great for new comers in reggae
Just one remark on this set.
Great to get an overview on Jamaican reggae but some big guys are
missing LKJ, Israel Vibration anf off course Lee "Scrtach" Perry.
So I would say: GOOD bur NOT ENOUGH


review by: Mr. Jim date: 2001-11-14 rating:
"this box-set is "Smithsonian" caliber"
This is an awesome 4-CD-Set chock full of rarities going back to the early '60s up to the present...hardbound book featuring the history of "Jamaican Music"...more popular today spreading the genre through words and music gathering new listeners and fans along the way.

Total: four-CD-Set ~ Universal/Hip-O/Island 314-560-929-2 ~ (2001)

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