New Reggae & Ragga Releases

New Reggae Releases on Vinyl: Albums, 7-Inch Singles and Reissues

What's in the new reggae records section

New reggae releases on vinyl mix fresh music with archival reissues, which makes sense: in Jamaica, the record has always been at the heart of the music, from 45s pressed for sound systems to full albums. The catalog includes dancehall figures like Buju Banton and Capleton, 1970s deejay Dillinger, roots singer Johnny Clarke, ska-era players Tommy McCook and Lester Sterling, as well as Bob Marley, The Selecter and French ragga act Raggasonic. Labels also regularly dig up forgotten recordings.

7-inch, 12-inch, album: reggae's formats

Reggae has its own formats, and knowing them helps you choose. The 7-inch single is central: a vocal on the A-side and its instrumental or dub version on the flip. The 12-inch discomix usually runs the vocal straight into its dub. Showcase albums follow the same idea, and riddim albums gather several singers over one backing track, like the riddim from Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng" (1985), which kicked off dancehall's digital era.

• 7-inch: vocal on the A-side, version on the B-side
• 12-inch: louder cut, built for sound systems
• Showcase: each song followed by its dub
• Riddim album: several artists on the same instrumental

Reggae labels and reissues to follow

Labels are the best guide to new reggae albums. VP Records and Greensleeves cover dancehall and modern reggae, while Trojan Records, Pressure Sounds and 17 North Parade reissue roots, rocksteady and dub. Records come out on Fridays, but many 7-inches and reissues arrive in small runs, sometimes never repressed. Reissues of productions from historic studios like Studio One are among the most followed by collectors, along with 1970s dub albums.

Today's scene, in Jamaica and in Europe, also releases albums on vinyl, often in modest quantities. To keep up with new reggae albums, follow the labels and sound systems whose sound you like, and keep an eye on Record Store Day, which usually brings a few exclusive reggae editions each spring.

Comparing prices on reggae vinyl

The price of a reggae record varies a lot by store and by whether it's a Jamaican pressing, a European pressing or a reissue. This page lets you compare offers from several partner stores for each record before you click through. Watch out for uneven pressing quality: some vintage Jamaican 45s were pressed in a hurry and carry surface noise. A careful reissue from the original tapes is often the better pick for listening.

Also check the speed and size before buying: a 7-inch plays at 45 rpm, most albums at 33 rpm, and 12-inch discomixes are often cut at 45. The listing should state it. For the price of a few new 7-inches you can often get a full compilation, so compare what each format actually gives you.