Reggae / Ragga

Reggae and Ragga are much more than just a musical style: they are the reflection of a culture born in Jamaica in the 60s, which became a voice of emancipation and spirituality. From its origins, reggae imposed its swaying rhythm and deep bass lines, carried by legendary figures such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh or Burning Spear.

Over time, it diversified into various currents: roots reggae with spiritual messages, hypnotic and experimental dub, energetic dancehall, or ragga, which fuses electronic sounds and powerful flows. These variations have allowed the movement to remain vibrant and inspire new generations of artists, from French-speaking reggae with Tiken Jah Fakoly or Dub Inc to international reggae represented by Alpha Blondy or Groundation.

Reggae and ragga are not limited to a sonic aesthetic: they embody a philosophy and cultural resistance. Every vinyl record bears witness to this, whether classics or more confidential gems. Let's live and relive the history of a genre that has maintained its authenticity while opening up to the world.

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Valley Of Jehosaphat - Vinyle

Augustus Pablo

Reggae Vinyl: Roots, Dub, Dancehall and Jamaican Pressings Explained

What's in this reggae vinyl section?

This reggae vinyl section runs from 1960s ska / rocksteady to dancehall, by way of roots reggae, dub, international reggae and French reggae. You'll find pioneers such as Alton Ellis, Augustus Pablo and Cornell Campbell, Bob Marley of course, current voices like Tarrus Riley, Romain Virgo and Buju Banton, plus Groundation and the French band Sinsemilia. Reggae started as a singles music: in Jamaica, songs came out on 7-inch records with an instrumental "version" on the B-side for the sound systems, which is where dub was born.

Each record page compares offers from several partner stores, whether it's a reissued album, a compilation or a new release. That helps in a genre where the same songs circulate in countless editions, with very different quality and prices. One album might be listed as a Jamaican pressing, a vintage UK edition and a modern reissue at the same time.

Jamaican, UK or reissue: how to buy reggae records

Original Jamaican pressings have undeniable charm, but quality varies a lot: thin vinyl, surface noise, generic sleeves. UK editions from the era, on Island or Trojan Records, tend to be more consistent. For listening, reissues from specialist labels are a safe bet: Pressure Sounds and Blood and Fire for roots and dub, 17 North Parade for the VP Records catalog, and the Studio One compilations released by Soul Jazz Records. They usually come with solid liner notes too.

the mix: some albums exist in both a Jamaican and an international version
the format: LP, 7-inch or 12-inch
surface condition, often worn on vintage copies
an official reissue rather than an unlicensed pressing

Essential reggae albums on vinyl

The ska of The Skatalites and Prince Buster, then the rocksteady of Alton Ellis, paved the way. The 1970s were the golden age of roots reggae: Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Catch a Fire" (1973) and "Exodus" (1977), Burning Spear's "Marcus Garvey" (1975), Peter Tosh's "Legalize It" (1976), Culture's "Two Sevens Clash" (1977) and "The Harder They Come" soundtrack starring Jimmy Cliff (1972).

Dub took shape in the studios of King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry, and Augustus Pablo's "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown" (1976) remains a reference. In the 1980s, dancehall took over with Yellowman and then Shabba Ranks, and digital riddims swept in after Wayne Smith's "Under Mi Sleng Teng" (1985). Buju Banton, Tarrus Riley and Romain Virgo carry the legacy today.

Roots, dub, dancehall: reggae subgenres to explore

Narrow your search with the subcollections: roots reggae, dub, dancehall, ska / rocksteady, international reggae and French reggae. That last one is a lively scene worth discovering, with bands such as Sinsemilia, Tryo and Danakil singing reggae in French. The genre's new release and pre-order pages help you follow upcoming reggae records, including reissues of Jamaican classics, which are often pressed in limited runs.

Frequently asked questions

Is dancehall a subgenre of reggae?

Yes. Dancehall emerged in Jamaica in the late 1970s and took over in the 1980s, with faster rhythms, the deejay toasting over the riddim at center stage, and digital production after "Under Mi Sleng Teng" in 1985. Ragga refers to its most electronic branch. Yellowman, Shabba Ranks and Buju Banton are key figures.

What is dub music?

Dub is a reggae track reworked by the engineer at the mixing desk: the vocals mostly drop out, bass and drums move to the front, and echo and reverb become instruments in their own right. Born from the instrumental B-sides of Jamaican singles, it was developed by King Tubby and Lee "Scratch" Perry.

What are the best reggae albums to own on vinyl?

Bob Marley & The Wailers' "Catch a Fire" or "Exodus", Burning Spear's "Marcus Garvey", Culture's "Two Sevens Clash" and Augustus Pablo's "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown" cover roots and dub. Add "The Harder They Come" soundtrack for a snapshot of 1970s Jamaica.

Should I buy an original Jamaican pressing?

For collecting, yes: it's the historic edition. For listening, not necessarily, since vintage Jamaican pressings are very uneven in quality. A serious reissue, from Pressure Sounds or Blood and Fire for example, often sounds better and costs less. Compare editions and check the stated condition.