Episode #16: Roots Reggae & Early Dancehall Vol. II

Given the long and snow-filled winter most of us are experiencing, I thought some more roots reggae and early dancehall might have a warming effect. As with Volume 1, I tried to cover a bit of ground with respect to the topics of the chosen songs. While a good majority of the music here touches upon some political message, such as Peter Tosh’s classic “You Can’t Blame The Youth” and Hugh Mundell’s “Africa Must Be Free By 1983,” there are some lighter, feel-good tracks. Eek-A-Mouse’s dancehall smash “Wa-Do-Dem” is more concerned with his trademark non-sensical verbal acrobatics while Delroy Wilson’s “Feel Good All Over” and The Silvertones’ “Smile” rejoice in the joy of music and how it can uplift spirits and make you want to move.

Regardless of each song’s particular message, the music and intense emotion of the vocals alone make them timeless classics. Roots reggae and early dancehall tunes are always badass and always oozing with cool confidence. Furthermore, their call to overcome the everyday struggle serves as a celebration and reaffirmation of life.

Give it a listen and enjoy.

Track listing:
1) Wa-Do-Dem (3:55) – Eek-A-Mouse
2) You Can’t Blame The Youth (4:22) – Peter Tosh & The Wailers
3) Fight Fight (3:29) – Don Carlos & Gold
4) World-A-Music (3:46) – Ini Kamoze
5) Set Me Free (3:25) – L. Crosdale with Drummond Bago & The Rebel Group
6) Smile (Alternative Mix) (3:00) – The Silvertones
7) Africa Must Be Free By 1983 (2:32) – Hugh Mundell
8) Sun Is Shining (2:11) – Winston Matthews
9) Run Too Tuff (2:41) – Dennis Brown
10) MPLA (3:08) – Tapper Zukie
11) Freedom Street (2:48) – Ken Boothe
12) Ghetto Living (3:25) – Sugar Minott
13) Zion’s Blood (3:57) – Lee “Scratch” Perry
14) Feel Good All Over (2:40) – Delroy Wilson
15) Diseases (3:33) – Michigan & Smiley
16) Keep That Light (3:46) – The Tamline
17) Forward Ever (3:12) – Jacob Miller
18) Mad Mad (4:07) – Alton Ellis
19) Deliver Me From My Enemies (2:53) – Yabby You & The Prophets