Feb 03 2012
The 10 Best Real Reggae Acts I Know Of
Steel Pulse
This is probably my favorite Reggae band other than listening to Bob Marley. Steel Pulse definitely has a sound of their own. Personally I love the song “Man no Sober.” But all of their albums are rich in traditional reggae sound and their lead singer has an incredible voice.
Jimmy Cliff
Anyone who knows Reggae knows who Jimmy Cliff is.
UB40
The only band on this list with a white singer. How he’s white is still something I don’t understand to this day. But I think everyone knows who UB40 is.
Black Uhuru
This group formed in 1972, initially as Uhuru (Swahili for ‘freedom’). The group has undergone several line-up changes over the years, with Duckie Simpson always maintaining group control and ownership. Their album Anthem, featuring the hit single “What is Life?” won the first ever Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album in 1985.
Israel Vibration
Israel Vibration is a reggae harmony trio, originating from Kingston, Jamaica. Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig, and Cecil “Skelly” Spence all overcame childhood polio, and went on to be one of the most successful roots groups to form in Jamaica in the late 1970s
Even More Uncoachable Stuff
Hmmm, there are some questionable picks on this list. Like Steel Pulse. Then there are some that are just flat out wrong, i.e. 3rd World, Jimmy Cliff, UB40, and I-Vibe.
In terms of bands alone, these selections stand in the shadow of giants. The Gladiators. The Congos. The Itals. What about the Upsetters? Or evenn the Meditations. The list goes on and on before we get to the likes of Jimmy Cliff.
Then there are all the great artists like Augustus Pablo, Hugh Mundell, Cornell Cambell, Jacob Miller, Horace Andy, Max Romeo, etc. And what about a guy like Lee Perry? How about Sugar Minot of Youthman Promotion?
You get the drift. Lots of places to get more information. ebreggae.com, rootsarchives, etc., etc. The google can help you.