The Best Reggae & Dub Albums of the 1970s
Our pick of the essential reggae & dub records released in the 1970s, ranked.
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1Catch a FireBob Marley and the Wailers
Catch a Fire
The album that took reggae worldwide, polishing the Wailers' roots sound for an international audience without losing its message. 'Stir It Up' and 'Concrete Jungle' lead the way. A landmark of crossover without compromise.
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2Burnin'Bob Marley and the Wailers
Burnin'
A fiery roots peak, home to 'Get Up, Stand Up' and 'I Shot the Sheriff'. Militant and tuneful. An essential early record.
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3Natty DreadBob Marley and the Wailers
Natty Dread
The first record credited to Bob Marley and the Wailers, leaner and more focused, home to 'No Woman, No Cry'. The new line-up and the I Threes harmonies give it real warmth. A roots high point.
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4Live!Bob Marley and the Wailers
Live!
A landmark live album, home to a definitive 'No Woman, No Cry'. Electric and beloved. A high point.
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5Rastaman VibrationBob Marley and the Wailers
Rastaman Vibration
A warm, accessible roots peak that broke big in America. Tuneful and assured. A fan favourite.
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6ExodusBob Marley and the Wailers
Exodus
Recorded in London after an assassination attempt, it balances militant roots anthems with songs of love and faith, from 'Jamming' to 'One Love'. Named album of the century by some critics. The essential Marley record.
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7KayaBob Marley and the Wailers
Kaya
A gentle, love-and-herb-focused record of mellow grooves. Warm and tuneful. A softer side of Marley.
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8SurvivalBob Marley and the Wailers
Survival
A militant, pan-African roots peak of political urgency. Bold and powerful. A strong late record.
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9Legalize ItPeter Tosh
Legalize It
A defiant, deeply rootsy solo debut from the Wailers' firebrand, uncompromising and heavy. Militant and brilliant. Essential roots reggae.
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10Equal RightsPeter Tosh
Equal Rights
A militant, uncompromising roots landmark of protest. Heavy and powerful. One of reggae's great political records.
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11Blackheart ManBunny Wailer
Blackheart Man
A deep, spiritual roots masterpiece from the third Wailer. Rich and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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12Funky KingstonToots and the Maytals
Funky Kingston
Joyful, soul-soaked reggae powered by Toots Hibbert's gospel-strength voice. Warm and irresistible. One of the great feel-good records of the genre.
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13The Harder They ComeJimmy Cliff
The Harder They Come
The soundtrack that introduced much of the world to reggae, a sharp mix of Cliff's anthems and key genre cuts. Vibrant and historic. An ideal reggae starting point.
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14Marcus GarveyBurning Spear
Marcus Garvey
Hypnotic, deeply spiritual roots reggae built on Winston Rodney's incantatory vocals and heavy rhythm. Meditative and powerful. A roots cornerstone.
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15Man in the HillsBurning Spear
Man in the Hills
A warm, meditative roots peak of rural imagery. Deep and beloved. A high point.
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16Super ApeThe Upsetters
Super Ape
A landmark dub record produced by Lee Perry, hazy and inventive. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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17Heart of the CongosThe Congos
Heart of the Congos
A deep, harmony-rich roots reggae masterpiece produced by Lee Perry, hazy and spiritual. Lush and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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18King Tubbys Meets Rockers UptownAugustus Pablo
King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown
A landmark dub record of melodica and Tubby's mixing-desk magic. Hypnotic and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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19Two Sevens ClashCulture
Two Sevens Clash
Prophetic, hooky roots reggae steeped in Rastafarian apocalypse. Warm and urgent. A 1977 landmark.
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20Satta MassaganaThe Abyssinians
Satta Massagana
A foundational roots-harmony landmark of spiritual depth. Beautiful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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21Handsworth RevolutionSteel Pulse
Handsworth Revolution
Sharp, soulful British roots reggae with real political bite. Polished and powerful. A UK reggae cornerstone.
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22Visions of Dennis BrownDennis Brown
Visions of Dennis Brown
A warm, soulful roots peak from the 'Crown Prince of Reggae'. Smooth and beloved. A high point.
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23War ina BabylonMax Romeo and the Upsetters
War ina Babylon
A heavy, prophetic roots record produced by Lee Perry, militant and melodic. Deep and acclaimed. A 70s reggae cornerstone.
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24Police and ThievesJunior Murvin
Police and Thieves
Defined by its falsetto title track and Perry's production, a sweet yet urgent roots classic. Melodic and influential. Essential reggae.
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25Dread Beat an' BloodLinton Kwesi Johnson
Dread Beat an' Blood
A landmark dub-poetry debut of political fire. Sharp and influential. A singular British record.
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26Babylon by BusBob Marley and the Wailers
Babylon by Bus
A vibrant double live album of peak-era performances. Electric and beloved. A strong document.
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27Reggae Got SoulToots and the Maytals
Reggae Got Soul
A warm, soul-infused reggae peak of Toots's gospel voice. Joyful and beloved. A high point.
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28Garvey's GhostBurning Spear
Garvey's Ghost
A hypnotic dub companion to Marcus Garvey. Deep and beloved. A genre highlight.
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29Social LivingBurning Spear
Social Living
A deep, meditative roots peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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30Blackboard Jungle DubThe Upsetters
Blackboard Jungle Dub
An early, pioneering dub landmark from Lee Perry. Inventive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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31Return of the Super ApeLee Perry and the Upsetters
Return of the Super Ape
A wild, inventive dub peak from Lee Perry. Bold and beloved. A genre highlight.
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32Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn BreadLee Perry
Roast Fish Collie Weed & Corn Bread
A quirky, inventive Lee Perry solo peak. Bold and beloved. A cult favourite.
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33East of the River NileAugustus Pablo
East of the River Nile
A hypnotic melodica-and-dub peak of meditative beauty. Deep and beloved. A genre classic.
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34Pick a DubKeith Hudson
Pick a Dub
A pioneering, cohesive early dub album. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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3596 Degrees in the ShadeThird World
96 Degrees in the Shade
A polished, soulful roots peak of crossover appeal. Smooth and acclaimed. A genre favourite.
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36Right TimeThe Mighty Diamonds
Right Time
A harmony-rich roots landmark of sweet vocals and message. Warm and beloved. A genre classic.
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37Party TimeThe Heptones
Party Time
A harmony-rich rocksteady-into-roots peak produced by Lee Perry. Warm and beloved. A genre gem.
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38The Same SongIsrael Vibration
The Same Song
A harmony-rich roots peak of spiritual warmth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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39Trenchtown Mix UpThe Gladiators
Trenchtown Mix Up
A harmony-rich roots peak of melodic warmth. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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40In the LightHorace Andy
In the Light
A peak of sweet, distinctive roots reggae. Beautiful and beloved. A genre highlight.
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41Cool RulerGregory Isaacs
Cool Ruler
A smooth lovers-rock peak of Isaacs's cool delivery. Warm and beloved. A signature record.
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42Bush DoctorPeter Tosh
Bush Doctor
A polished, star-guested peak of militant reggae. Bold and acclaimed. A strong record.