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best reggae covers?

#22
SMASH said:
In my experience that isn't close to true. FYI, you'll need a really smokin' drummer who truly overstands (sic) the style to come close to pulling it off convincingly. I've played with guys who are pros (literally) that can pass it off well enough but there's a huge difference when a guy steps in that can do it right.

Check out some reggae bands live sometimes ... the rare times any play here. You'll see that everyone keeps quite busy. There's the appearance of a trance to the casual listener or dancer, but there's much more going on.

As I'd said to you, I love the challenge of keeping the one big groove - if any instrument keeps it steady in that style throughout a tune it's usually the bass - but while that might seem easy on the surface it's actually quite a challenge and IME tougher than playing stuff with a lot of changes and leeway where you can hide and make flubs.
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Reggae can be deceptively complex. Most people think of the guitar being just one chop, but there are endless variations on the chop not to mention the checque, pick parts, pick and roll and chicken scratch. There are also guitar parts that don't involve a chop or an upbeat at all. Seen?

The same goes for keyboards. Did you ever wonder why many reggae keyboard players run with 2, 3, 4 or 5 keyboards? So they can double fist on organ, piano, clav, etc., all at the same time...and they have a ton of rhythmic moves too...different bubbles, chops, etc..

Reggae drummers have it REALLY good. Drum and Bass are lead instruments. Drums are VERY high in the mix. Lots of color between snare and hi-hat, with the hat providing tons of texture, dynamic and flash. It's also a very far cry from what you hear on rock stuff...there are Soooooooo many different drum patterns, beats, grooves. A lot of times, the songs are built around a drum part or the drum and bass part, so there's a big space for creativity for the drummer. Lets also mention that what you THINK of as a reggae groove is only one type of groove. What's the boom shot inna the dancehall can be so extremely diverse that many don't even recognize it as reggae.
 
#24
VEGANBASS said:
I re-rented that rough guide to reggae from the library today and have been listening more closely. Definitely more complex than it sounds on the surface.
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VB, is that the 4 disk 'Story of Jamaican Music' box set? I know there are a few Rough Guide sampler discs out there, but the real companion piece to the Rough Guide is the 4 disk set...it was put together for Island by Steve Barrows, and is excellent.
 
#27
FusionArsonist said:
dennis brown - revolution
gregory isaacs - cool down the pace
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Dennis Brown has done about 3 songs called revolution...and about 3 songs called 'Promised Land'. If you're talking about the Revolution that Barrington Levy did "Here I come" over and that D. Brown did 'Rub-A-Dub Style" over, then I agree with you. It's one of the all time best riddims ever. The original has a very cool message to it too. My band has played it for years and years.
 
#29
BurningSkies said:
VB, is that the 4 disk 'Story of Jamaican Music' box set? I know there are a few Rough Guide sampler discs out there, but the real companion piece to the Rough Guide is the 4 disk set...it was put together for Island by Steve Barrows, and is excellent.
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The one I have is just a single disc called "Rough Guides Reggae" or something like that. It doesnt say who compiled it, but the liner notes are by Peter Dalton.
 
#32
imo, the best Roots Reggae these days is coming out of St. Croix!
check "Midnite" and that whole I-Grade possé.
most recommendations posted so far are great,.. but OLD!!!

(Rasta) to the Bone
Inner Queenly
Strong Will
Come Bust I On
MexiCanadAmerica
Rastafari Now

warning: 100% conscious lyrics, no slackness.
 
#33
Kulcha said:
rise from the ashes..


Bunny Wailer- Blackheart Man

this album has some of the most complex instrumentation ever.
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Depends upon the version. The original Jamaican version is much more stripped down and has a number of different/alternate songs on it. The one that's in general release has definitely been given the 'Island records/Blackwell' treatment.
 

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