Help identifying reggae

July 29, 2009 9:04 AM

Reggae question: What style of reggae is this and where can I hear more? Video inside.

The video is here. Obviously the song is a joke and the video is too, but that's beside the point.

Nearly all reggae I can find is either all cheerful, mainstream-sounding, or has a hip-hop beat. This style sounds more deep, brooding, and smoky (maybe literally), and I kind of dig the solo at 1:30 in that video. So where do I find more like this, in regard to real artists and real albums? Is there a name for that style I can go by?

posted by crapmatic to media & arts (18 comments total)

I can't speak to this specific style, but if you're looking for groove music from Jamaica that mostly steers well clear of the mainstream and predates hip-hop's jackbeats, you would do well to start with Lee Scratch Perry.
posted by philip-random at 9:11 AM on July 29

It's dub (kinda sorta). You need to look up anything by Scientist (my favorite is "Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires") and all the free stuff from Jahtari.
posted by mkb at 9:18 AM on July 29

This. Or any of the artists on it.
posted by sanko at 9:21 AM on July 29

Yeah it's (IMO pretty bad) dub. There's mountains of it out there. Lee Perry and Scientist (a Perry acolyte) are great places to start. If you want a broad sampling, buy the Trojan dub boxset.
posted by Bookhouse at 9:23 AM on July 29

Ah, on non-preview sanko beat me to it.
posted by Bookhouse at 9:23 AM on July 29

I asked the owner of the video. It's:

"Golfpunk" by Drew, from an old Songfight MP# posted almost 10 years ago.
posted by alice ayres at 9:31 AM on July 29

"Dub", excellent. Awesome answers.. I will be sifting through all these links and probably buying that box set.
posted by crapmatic at 9:34 AM on July 29

Scientist learned under King Tubby, not Lee Perry!
posted by mkb at 9:49 AM on July 29 [1 favorite]

Deep, brooding and smoky? Check out Ras Michael's Dadawah - Peace and Love album, and Lee Perry's Congos dubs.
posted by box at 9:59 AM on July 29

Seconding The Congos. Their LP "Heart of the Congos" is some of the best deep roots Rasta dub ever to come out of Jamaica.
posted by Burhanistan at 10:07 AM on July 29

You might also try some dubstep.
LV ft Dandelion - CCTV
2562 - Moog Dub
Uncle Sam - Round the World Girls (Tes La Rok rmx)
Coki - Officer
Loefah - Root
posted by moift at 10:39 AM on July 29

King Tubby, Augustus Pablo, Boxcutter, Skream, a relaxed dubstep mix
posted by phrontist at 11:07 AM on July 29

Burning Spear, Kode9 and The Spaceape, Benga and Coki
posted by phrontist at 11:14 AM on July 29

many of the artists on the on u sound label fit this bill.
posted by lester at 11:58 AM on July 29 [1 favorite]

On U sound x2.

Singers and players.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLQxUel6kg

African head charge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtRjuwYK48o

and super gravel voiced Prince Far I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkLQxUel6kg
posted by jade east at 1:08 PM on July 29 [1 favorite]

Check out Rhythm & Sound and Wackies.
posted by Ultra Laser at 3:04 PM on July 29

dub is a universe unto itself, and an ever expanding one at that. do enjoy the trip.
posted by philip-random at 4:06 PM on July 29

Thanks everyone... just to acknowledge the comments and I'm slowly going through all of the material! What a gold mine.
posted by crapmatic at 6:14 PM on August 1