The Best Reggae and Dub Albums of the 1980s

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.

1. 1
   UprisingBob Marley and the Wailers

   Uprising

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A reflective, spiritual late peak, home to 'Redemption Song'. Powerful and poignant. A moving record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
2. 2
   SinsemillaBlack Uhuru

   Sinsemilla

   Black Uhuru · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A heavy, Sly-and-Robbie-powered roots peak. Tough and acclaimed. A strong record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
3. 3
   RedBlack Uhuru

   Red

   Black Uhuru · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

   Tight, heavy roots reggae powered by the Sly and Robbie rhythm section. Their most acclaimed record. A rockers cornerstone.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
4. 4
   Night NurseGregory Isaacs

   Night Nurse

   Gregory Isaacs · 1982 · Reggae & Dub

   Smooth, romantic lovers-rock reggae defined by Isaacs's cool delivery. Warm and seductive. His signature record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
5. 5
   Bass CultureLinton Kwesi Johnson

   Bass Culture

   Linton Kwesi Johnson · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A step up in scale from his debut, with denser dub production from Dennis Bovell and poems addressing the Brixton uprising and Black British life under Thatcher-era policing. Weighty and influential. His widest-reaching record.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
6. 6
   Signing OffUB40

   Signing Off

   UB40 · 1980 · Reggae & Dub

   A politically charged British reggae debut of real depth. Bold and acclaimed. A strong start.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
7. 7
   Labour of LoveUB40

   Labour of Love

   UB40 · 1983 · Reggae & Dub

   A hugely popular covers record that brought reggae to the UK mainstream. Tuneful and big. A commercial peak.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
8. 8
   ConfrontationBob Marley and the Wailers

   Confrontation

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · 1983 · Reggae & Dub

   A posthumous peak, home to 'Buffalo Soldier'. Powerful and beloved. A poignant close.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
9. 9
   Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the VampiresScientist

   Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires

   Scientist · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

   A landmark dub album of playful mixing-desk invention. Inventive and beloved. A genre classic.

   Vinyl →CD →More →
10. 10
    True DemocracySteel Pulse

    True Democracy

    Steel Pulse · 1982 · Reggae & Dub

    A sharp, soulful British roots peak. Polished and acclaimed. A high point.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
11. 11
    Wa-Do-DemEek-A-Mouse

    Wa-Do-Dem

    Eek-A-Mouse · 1981 · Reggae & Dub

    A playful, sing-jay dancehall peak of singular style. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.

    Vinyl →CD →More →
12. 12
    Mister YellowmanYellowman

    Mister Yellowman

    Yellowman · 1982 · Reggae & Dub

    A landmark dancehall peak of charismatic toasting. Fun and influential. A genre cornerstone.

    Vinyl →CD →More →