The Best Reggae & Dub Albums
Roots, rockers and dub — the heartbeat of Jamaica pressed to wax.
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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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9UprisingBob Marley and the Wailers
Uprising
A reflective, spiritual late peak, home to 'Redemption Song'. Powerful and poignant. A moving record.
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10Legalize 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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11Equal 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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12Blackheart ManBunny Wailer
Blackheart Man
A deep, spiritual roots masterpiece from the third Wailer. Rich and acclaimed. A genre high point.
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13Funky 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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14The 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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15Marcus 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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16Man 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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17Super 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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18Heart 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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19King 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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20Two Sevens ClashCulture
Two Sevens Clash
Prophetic, hooky roots reggae steeped in Rastafarian apocalypse. Warm and urgent. A 1977 landmark.
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21Satta MassaganaThe Abyssinians
Satta Massagana
A foundational roots-harmony landmark of spiritual depth. Beautiful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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22SinsemillaBlack Uhuru
Sinsemilla
A heavy, Sly-and-Robbie-powered roots peak. Tough and acclaimed. A strong record.
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23RedBlack Uhuru
Red
Tight, heavy roots reggae powered by the Sly and Robbie rhythm section. Their most acclaimed record. A rockers cornerstone.
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24Handsworth RevolutionSteel Pulse
Handsworth Revolution
Sharp, soulful British roots reggae with real political bite. Polished and powerful. A UK reggae cornerstone.
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25Night NurseGregory Isaacs
Night Nurse
Smooth, romantic lovers-rock reggae defined by Isaacs's cool delivery. Warm and seductive. His signature record.
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26Visions 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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27War 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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28Police 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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29Dread 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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30Bass CultureLinton Kwesi Johnson
Bass Culture
A landmark of dub poetry and political reggae. Sharp and influential. A singular British record.
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31Signing OffUB40
Signing Off
A politically charged British reggae debut of real depth. Bold and acclaimed. A strong start.
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32Labour of LoveUB40
Labour of Love
A hugely popular covers record that brought reggae to the UK mainstream. Tuneful and big. A commercial peak.
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33Welcome to JamrockDamian Marley
Welcome to Jamrock
A hard-hitting, modern dancehall-reggae peak, home to its title track. Bold and acclaimed. A crossover landmark.
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34ChronologyChronixx
Chronology
A bright, accomplished reggae-revival debut of roots and modern polish. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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35Babylon 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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36ConfrontationBob Marley and the Wailers
Confrontation
A posthumous peak, home to 'Buffalo Soldier'. Powerful and beloved. A poignant close.
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37Reggae 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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38Garvey's GhostBurning Spear
Garvey's Ghost
A hypnotic dub companion to Marcus Garvey. Deep and beloved. A genre highlight.
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39Social LivingBurning Spear
Social Living
A deep, meditative roots peak. Powerful and acclaimed. A high point.
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40Blackboard Jungle DubThe Upsetters
Blackboard Jungle Dub
An early, pioneering dub landmark from Lee Perry. Inventive and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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41Return 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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42Roast 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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43Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the VampiresScientist
Scientist Rids the World of the Evil Curse of the Vampires
A landmark dub album of playful mixing-desk invention. Inventive and beloved. A genre classic.
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44East 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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45Pick a DubKeith Hudson
Pick a Dub
A pioneering, cohesive early dub album. Deep and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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4696 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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47Right 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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48Party 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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49The Same SongIsrael Vibration
The Same Song
A harmony-rich roots peak of spiritual warmth. Beautiful and beloved. A high point.
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50Trenchtown Mix UpThe Gladiators
Trenchtown Mix Up
A harmony-rich roots peak of melodic warmth. Tuneful and beloved. A high point.
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51In the LightHorace Andy
In the Light
A peak of sweet, distinctive roots reggae. Beautiful and beloved. A genre highlight.
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52Cool RulerGregory Isaacs
Cool Ruler
A smooth lovers-rock peak of Isaacs's cool delivery. Warm and beloved. A signature record.
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53Bush DoctorPeter Tosh
Bush Doctor
A polished, star-guested peak of militant reggae. Bold and acclaimed. A strong record.
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54True DemocracySteel Pulse
True Democracy
A sharp, soulful British roots peak. Polished and acclaimed. A high point.
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55Wa-Do-DemEek-A-Mouse
Wa-Do-Dem
A playful, sing-jay dancehall peak of singular style. Fun and beloved. A genre highlight.
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56Mister YellowmanYellowman
Mister Yellowman
A landmark dancehall peak of charismatic toasting. Fun and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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57'Til ShilohBuju Banton
'Til Shiloh
A landmark shift from dancehall to roots-conscious reggae. Deep and acclaimed. His masterpiece.
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58Hot ShotShaggy
Hot Shot
A blockbuster dancehall-pop crossover, home to 'It Wasn't Me'. Bouncy and huge. A commercial landmark.
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59Dutty RockSean Paul
Dutty Rock
A blockbuster dancehall crossover, home to 'Get Busy'. Bouncy and huge. A commercial landmark.
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60A Matter of TimeProtoje
A Matter of Time
A sharp, modern reggae-revival peak. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.
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61GiftedKoffee
Gifted
A bright, accomplished modern-reggae debut album. Warm and acclaimed. A standout.