Keep it old school, not the newer stuff. This will put you well on your way. Not that I don't like the newer stuff, but the old school reggae from Toots is so infectious, no one can withstand it.
I'll be watching this thread. posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:42 PM on March 21, 2008
Many of the 3-disc Trojan box sets will keep you in good stead, notably the "Soulful Reggae" edition. (It being scientifically impossible to resist old-school reggae covers of Motown hits.)
The 4-disc "The Story of Jamaican Music: Tougher Than Tough" is often called out as one of the best overviews of reggae ever assembled. You could use it either straight-up as a playlist, or as a jumping off point for additional research. posted by flod at 2:02 AM on March 22, 2008
Speaking of Soul Jazz, their "Dynamite" series of compilations would probably be great for what you're looking for. Heartbeat Records is awesome, but I don't care for their "Reggae's Greatest Hits" series. posted by keith0718 at 6:47 AM on March 22, 2008
all great. though crowd will enjoy more dancehall, 80s, 90s reggae.... posted by turkishLola at 8:22 AM on March 22, 2008
My husband loves roots
Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown, Glenn Washington, Steel Pulse (Album: True Democracy), Garnett Silk, The Heptones, Gladiators, Bunny Wailer
I could probably make you a few mixes later today. Email if you'd like. posted by heartquake at 8:25 AM on March 22, 2008
Yeah, you can't do any better than Trojan for the old stuff, especially the Rocksteady set. Another good box-set is the "This is Reggae" set that starts with The Train to Skaville. posted by Bookhouse at 8:35 AM on March 22, 2008
Trojan Records, 20 Reggae Classics volumes 1-4. I can't express how much these 80 songs mean to me.
I too will be watching this thread, I have no idea where to start with dancehall and dub. posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:29 AM on March 22, 2008
try dj perry's recent jamaican gangster mixtape for starters; i think the above responses, as you noted, are nice but not geared toward dancing, more easy listening type reggae... you should check out the blogs for this one, there's some good stuff at tropical computer system, ghetto bassquake, etc, and also try searching the hypemachine for reggae mixtapes. good luck! posted by yonation at 10:26 AM on March 22, 2008 [2 favorites]
sorry, one last post. you're looking for tanya stephens, santogold, etc. starting with those keywords on hypemachine or other blogs might lead you to untold reggae/dancehall treasures. posted by yonation at 10:37 AM on March 22, 2008
Marley! Bob and his son Damian are my favorites but there are a bunch of Marley brothers and tunes out there certain to keep your crowd jammin' all night! Not a playlist, but new to this hive mind and not sure if this is good info or junk...? posted by robinspace at 8:18 PM on March 22, 2008
Roots has been covered well already, so I will mention:
Dub: Lee "Scratch" Perry, particularly Enter the Dragon. This is dub, and therefore better for end-of-night wind down. Also Augustus Pablo and King Tubby.
Newer: Damian, Stephen, and Ziggy Marley, Matisyahu, Morgan Heritage, Dub Syndicate, Anthony B, Buju Banton, Eek-A-Mouse.
Older stuff not mentioned: Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Melodians. posted by sophist at 12:55 AM on March 23, 2008
2nd Melodians. Swing and Dine has tons of danceable hits. However most of them are on Duke Reid's Treasure Chest, which is a killer party album. posted by keith0718 at 12:58 AM on March 23, 2008
For more of this angle, I think the Dancehall 101 compilations are a great place to start. +1 for the Soul Jazz Dynamite series, too. posted by alb at 12:36 PM on March 31, 2008
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http://www.amazon.com/Very-Best-Toots-Maytals/dp/B00004STPW/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1206167989&sr=8-1
Keep it old school, not the newer stuff. This will put you well on your way. Not that I don't like the newer stuff, but the old school reggae from Toots is so infectious, no one can withstand it.
I'll be watching this thread.
posted by jeff-o-matic at 11:42 PM on March 21, 2008