Most of you may know me by now, if you know Revaz. I’m taking over his blog on this guest post to give you some beautiful reggae music, just in time for the summer. Most of these tracks fall under the category of “roots”, “lovers rock” and/or “rockers” reggae which was popularized in the late sixties and dominated the Jamaican music scene until at least the mid eighties. (after which, Dancehall took center stage. A more aggressive form of club music, Dancehall arose in direct correlation with its Hip-Hop or Rap sibling in the US) When I set out making this mix, I wanted to give you a taste of the top tracks you would hear if you went to any reggae club, show, festival or even just walked through my predominantly West-Indian neighborhood of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

But I was also mindful of giving you a sample of some of the most distinct voices in the industry that always trigger a sense of familiarity and communion for the people whom this music speaks for. From Gregory Isaacs to Dennis Brown, Buju Banton to Beanie Man, and Sizzla to Sanchez, all of these names dominated the mix tapes, DJ sound systems, Jamaican beef patty radio stations of the era (and for the most part, still do).

Of course, it is not without some violence to my music library collection that I was able to make one concise mix. Even as I write this, I am remembering certain songs and artists that I should have included. So in order to do the music just a little more justice, I decided to make two volumes of this series (the next, is already in the final process of production). This is all not to mention that a separate Dancehall mix is also part of my contract with Rivers, so expect that in the near future as well. I hope you enjoy these meditations as much as I do, and if so, make sure to let Revaz know so that I can plan for some more take-overs!

One Hundred,

Mario R. Hernandez

Tracklist (to download into itunes, left click and save as here)

1. Babylon a Listen- Sizzla
2. Soon Forward - Gregory Isaacs
3. Wolf and Leopard - Dennis Brown
4. Public Enemy No.1 - Max Romero
5. Black Heart Man - Bunny Wailer
6. Give I Strength - Buju Banton
7. Arise Blackman - Peter Tosh
8. One Man Against The World - Gregory Isaacs
9. Rough Road - Prezident Brown
10. Weh Yo Run Fa - Zebra
11. Junior Marvin - Bad Weed
12. Going Away - Sanchez and Beanie Man
13. Hope for the Hopeless - Prezident Brown and Coca Tea
14. Here I Come - Dennis Brown
15. If Jah - Tony Rebel
16. Rastaman Chant - A Tiny Window

 Rasta Take Over the Scene!: Download

Categories: Visine for the ears