Stephen Marley - Revelation Pt.1 - The Root Of Life

This is a good album better than I expected, its very similar to Exodus era Bob Marley and the Wailers, because it has similar vocals and organ parts. Bob Marley's influence has definitely rubbed off on his family, this is a modern take on the traditional reggae and Rastafarian sound, and the Rastafarians believe Haile Selassie, former emperor of Ethiopia is the re-incarnation of Jesus Christ. ''Rastafari is defiance of Babylon, sometimes also called Rome — in part because of the 1935 Italian invasion of Ethiopia, then ruled by Rastafari's 'Living God,' Haile Selassie I, and partly because as the head of the Roman Catholic church (the Pope) is considered an opponent of Selassie I and Rastafari.'' - Wikipedia. Rastafarians also believe that the process of smoking marijuana gives the smoker greater wisdom and understanding of the world around them, and they refer to a sacred holy text called the Holy Piby, which was banned in Jamaica in the 1920s.

 Highlights include the first track ''Made In Africa'' which offers a rich deep insight into the history of Africa in dialogue and ''Tight Ship'', because it sounds like ''Guiltiness'' which is arguably Bob Marley and the Wailers finest piece of music from their trademark album Exodus, and to sound like some of the pivotal reggae is a good thing.

Mista Savona Presents - Havana Meets Kingston

Juicy music from the Melbourne based musician teaming up with Cornell Campbell among others to deliver a fusion of Cuban and Jamaican vibes which truly asserts it to be one of the current reggae leaders in Oceania. Highlights include the tracks ''100 Pounds Of Collie'', "Chan Chan'' and ''Vibracion Positive''. This is truly a great album from talented musicians that will incite the senses of rhythm. 

Lee ''Scratch'' Perry & Dub Syndicate - Time Boom X De Devil Dead

The classic album from this musical genius, Lee ''Scratch'' Perry which features the brilliant mesmerising track, "Jungle''. This album was released in 1987 and is still refreshing mainly because ''Scratch'' and his music is so unique, everything he touches is instantly recognisable and he has the magic touch, partly due to his style is swampy and murky, with delay and groove with infinite reverb. It stands out and is superior to his peers because of his colour and vibrancy, essentially there is a lot going on in his music.

Lucky Dube - House Of Exile

This is a classic album including classic track ''House Of Exile''. His live sets were incredible. He hails from South Africa and was actually murdered by hoodlums.

The Upsetters - Super Ape

All time classic. Including on this release is the best cover art ever on an album from any genre. This is probably The Upsetters at their very best and a totally great. Check out the track ''Dread Lion''.

Various Artists - The Harder They Come

All time classic album. Nothing comes close to The Slickers ghetto anthem ''Johnny Too Bad'' and its incredible organ and rhythm. The lyrics ''Walking down the road, with a pistol on your waist'' are grand. 

The Congos - Feast

This band has not lost it. They still have the magic in 2006. This band made their trademark sound on their classic Heart of the Congos album. They remain the same creative and seductive best.

Bob Marley And The Wailers - Catch A Fire

The most iconic album, by arguably the most iconic group of reggae musicians, and nothing comes close to the solo in ''Stir It Up''. This was named number one on the Mojo list top fifty reggae albums list for good reason.

Peter Tosh - No Nuclear War

I think my favourites are ''Nah Goa Jail'' and I really like the track ''Lesson In My Life''. The chorus is superb. Peter Tosh was assassinated, but his music lives on and I actually own all his albums.

Peter Tosh - Mama Africa

Obviously the standout is ''Johnny B Goode'' which is the track he is best known for.

Peter Tosh - Wanted Dread & Alive

It is basically safe to say ''Coming In Hot'' is a classic. He had a string of good albums with no misses.

Peter Tosh - Mystic Man

Good album, but all his stuff is legendary he's actually a really talented guy by himself.

Peter Tosh - Bush Doctor

It is one of the reggae classics. Best tracks include ''You Gotta Walk And Don't Look Back'' and ''Bush Doctor''. This is an absolute golden classic.

Augustus Pablo - King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown

The greatest dub album ever made. The most chilled aura penetrating from the speakers. (As chilled as the Delhi Airport, which is so chilled, I was there last year).

The Kingstonians - Sufferer

Personally this one my favourite albums to come out of Jamaica (which as you can tell is a very hard task) I think the tracks ''Your Love''. ''Singer Man'' and ''Sufferer'' are knockout crackers. Must have and beautiful.

Various Artists - Ska Party

Really good purchase if you want to get hold of some early Jimmy Cliff or some Prince Buster which is a scarcity.

King Tubby - The Dub Master

Probably safe to say Tubby is the ''Dub Godfather''. I think its manipulation with existing tracks was really pioneering; it paved the way for remix if you really think about it.

Various Artists - Island Records Presents Rock Steady (40 Soulful Classics)

A really good compilation if rock steady is your thing. You can't go past Derrick Harriot.

Bob Marley And The Wailers - Survival

This is an often neglected, but just as good album from the classic Wailers line-up. I like the ''Babylon System'' and honestly I think it's one of the best tracks that he ever did.

The Congos - Heart Of The Congos

Absolute all time classic with a really murky swampy production. I like the tracks ''Fisherman'', ''Congoman'' and ''Children Crying''.

Desmond Dekker - The Best Of Desmond Dekker

 An epic collection from the ska lord, which personal favourites include ''It Pays'', ''Problems'', ''Mother Pepper'' and even the later stuff he did ''Everybody Hold Hands'' and ''Jamaican Ska'' with The Specials is awesome. Bravo.

Various Artists - Rude Boy Ska

This is a great collection. It is very entertaining and very cool. Really captures a movement of ska that went on to inspire 2-tone. I really think Prince Buster and Desmond Dekker had some great stuff and would like to see more of them on these compilations. But, standouts include, ''Long Shot Kick De Bucket'', ''Fatty Fatty' and ''Love Of The Common People''.

The Gladiators - Trenchtown Mix Up

I really like the track ''Hello Carol''. This is a good album from a neglected group that are worth praise.

Various Artists - The Best Of Lee 'Scratch' Perry

I think Lee's best work was ''Hurt So Good''. I also like ''Mr. Cop.'' Lee once burnt down his studio because he left too many candles burning. Wonderfully weird sounds going on from this guy and bravo ''Scratch''.

Augustus Pablo - East Of The River Nile

This is a classic all-time great album. There really isn't really great standout tracks it being mostly instrumental. Really good vibes and no-one can play the melodica better than Gus.

The Skatalites - Independence Ska And The Far East Sound

Seriously good musicianship especially trombone and sax is what you expect from this band. Don Drummond the trombonist actually murdered his girlfriend and in a crackdown by the police on the local ska scene, incarcerated him in a psychiatric hospital and he eventually died with complications due to his medication. What a band.

Junior Murvin - Police & Thieves

Must have and title track famously covered by The Clash. My personal favourite has got to be ''Solomon''.

Bob Marley And The Wailers - Burnin'

 This is a truly classic line-up and some great musicianship. My favourites are ''Put It On'' and ''Duppy Conqueror''. 

Max Romeo & The Upsetters - War Ina Babylon

Another classic singer probably not given the same attention as Bob. Great tracks include ''Uptown Babies Don't Cry'', ''Stealing In The Name Of Jah'' and ''Tan And See''. This has got to be in the top five best reggae albums ever.

Yellowman - Galong Galong Galong

Pretty good considering it only cost $2. A classic dancehall style reggae musician not often paid the greatest of attention.

Peter Tosh - Legalize It

This is truly one of the great reggae albums from the former Wailers lead guitarist. You got to check out the tracks ''Burial'' and ''Whatcha Gonna Do''. We are talking about some of the greatest pieces of music in the reggae canon, they are absolutely amazing and classics.

Jimmy Cliff - Super Hits

One of reggae's all-time greats, he actually discovered Bob Marley as a teenager.

Favourite track has got to be ''Hanging Fire''. The guitar in this song is amazing as well as the vocals. 

Bob Marley And The Wailers - Uprising

This is truly a classic album from a one in a million chance band. The all-time great performer, and black musical icon that revolutionised the world, and truly changed music forever and it will never be the same again. Key tracks are ''Pimper's Paradise'',''Real Situation'' and ''Coming In From The Cold''. No more to be said.

Mad Professor - Electro Dubclubbing

This is an amazing array of various beats and sounds that add to this night-time floor filler album, which would be perfect in a small dimly lit club vibe, which result in mesmerising sounds that set the tone for grooving slowly enjoying yourself. Just do what the people on the front cover are doing and you should be set. Also sounds really good on headphones like a lot of dub. Dub in the twenty first century is epic. 

Various Artists - Putumayo Presents: World Reggae

This is an enjoyable fairly well collected compilation of reggae from all over the world. It has good sleeve notes and I think the standout tracks are ''Africa Unity''. It's quite an eclectic mix of tracks from a whole host of nationalities and sung in a variety of languages. Tres Bon.

John Holt - 1000 Volts Of Holt

This album is peculiar. It comes across as quite easy listening akin to the likes of Cat Stevens who graced the 70's airwaves with the fashion of the day, but its reggae, which is quite independent, and outsider to the fashion norms of the times. It's intriguing with the various horn and string sections that completely transform the album into a joyous melodic masterpiece. All the tracks are covers, and the standouts have to be ''Mr. Bojangles'' and ''Morning Of My Life''. If one was to start their reggae fascination, this would be a great way to delve away from Bob Marley and in to something different. Though rock steady was quite easy listening (John Holt did front the Paragons, known for their track later covered by Blondie, ''The Tide Is High''). This album is both a lost gem and a masterpiece. It's odd how each song is a cover but nailed so well vocally like it's John's own little personal work. This speaks highly for these adaptions to reggae from an experienced master. All in all it works terrifically well.

Bob And Marcia - Pied Piper

Some fabulous sounds incorporating very good string sections that really when they are added to reggae get this effect similar to the full John Holt, 1000 Volts of Holt sound.

Bob And Marcia - Young Gifted And Black

This is a very good reggae album with plenty of upbeat dancing style songs. Standouts include ''Private Number'' and a cover of the Bob Dylan classic ''It Ain't Me Babe''.

Marcia Griffiths - Steppin'

A real gem with heaps of good tracks and the standouts include ''Give And You Get'' and ''Why There Is No Love''.

Marcia Griffiths - Naturally

The classic reggae album with plenty of diamonds from this first lady of Jamaica, who with such a recognisable voice in a genre that is dominated by men, Marcia is refreshing, cool and soulful.

Various Artists - This Is Trojan Reggae: The Soundtrack For A Generation

Wicked reggae compilation with heaps of good stuff. Standout tracks include ''I Want To Wake Up With You'' and ''Girlie Girlie''. Every music fan will enjoy this compilation because it's got everything.

Bob Marley And The Wailers - Legend

What more can be said. An all-time classic worth its weight in gold, featuring a lot of his most well-known hits. This album actually went 20 times platinum in New Zealand where he performed in 1979 and revolutionised the nation. Reggae, Marley and Rastafarianism has a huge following in New Zealand. There was even a Rastafarian politician in New Zealand, Nandor Tanczos. A staple classic that ever reggae fan needs to own in their collection.

Mad Professor - Dub Me Crazy!!

This is a perfect dub album that showcases some very skilled refined editing, artwork and musicianship.

Peter Tosh - Equal Rights

This album is a vital album for Peter Tosh, and I actually possess all his studio works. He was a very talented guitarist with an especially raspy voice and member of the Wailers. He was assassinated, but his memory lives on in his music and some of the standout tracks appearing on this album are the tracks ''Equal Rights'', ''African'' and especially the live track ''Pick Myself Up (Live)''. His lyrics penetrate into the very humanitarian mindset that reggae preaches in its lyrics. Nothing is more uplifting than a former colony of the British Empire that had black slaves and also third world with brutal poverty. They found their independence and revolutionised the world and Peter Tosh was right in the middle.

Various Artists - Gay Feet: Every Night Featuring Baba Brooks And His Band

A danceable, trombone filled, excitable work gleaming with passion and sax creativity.

Bob Marley And The Wailers - A Legend: 50 Reggae Classics

A selection of brilliant tracks before their international breakout album Catch A Fire, A Legend follows the remarkable path of the early Wailers featuring all the classic members together for some brilliant tracks. Standout tracks include ''Mellow Mood'', ''Go Tell It On The Mountain'' and ''Mr. Brown''. All in all quite a pleasure, quite unique and a must have for any serious Wailers fan.

Various Artists - Knock Out Ska

Vibrant, uplifting and soulful best describes this eclectic compilation of first class ska music. I actually got given this for free by my local music store vendor, because the case had been stolen.

Various Artists - Sly & Robbie Present Taxi Gang In Discomix Style 1978-1987

Choice 12'' disco mixes from reggae's great rhythmic drum and bass duo featuring many familiar singers. What is included on this album is a cover of the famous Marvin Gaye standard ''Sexual Healing''.

Various Artists - This Is Trojan Ska: The Original Jamaican Rude Boy Anthems

This is a fantastic starting point for any serious ska collection with some serious beats, horn sections and upbeat rhythmic guitar to make the most tired of joints up dancing and festive. Such is ska.