Best 1970s Reggae and Dub Songs

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1. 1
   JC
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   The Harder They Come

   Jimmy Cliff · from The Harder They Come (1972)

   A defiant anthem that introduced the world to reggae.

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2. 2
   JC
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   Many Rivers to Cross

   Jimmy Cliff · from The Harder They Come (1972)

   Gospel anguish over a slow, heavy beat.

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3. 3
   TA
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   Pressure Drop

   Toots and the Maytals · from Funky Kingston (1973)

   The Specials covered it; The Clash covered it; everyone's right to.

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4. 4
   BM
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   Stir It Up

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Catch a Fire (1973)

   Reggae warmth and a riff that never ages.

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   BM
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   No Woman, No Cry

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Natty Dread (1974)

   The tender live staple of reggae's biggest star.

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   BS
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   Marcus Garvey

   Burning Spear · from Marcus Garvey (1975)

   Roots reggae as political statement — the Garvey myth rebuilt in music.

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   PT
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   Legalize It

   Peter Tosh · from Legalize It (1976)

   An uncompromising roots statement.

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   MR
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   War ina Babylon

   Max Romeo and the Upsetters · from War ina Babylon (1976)

   Militant and melodic at once.

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9. 9
   BM
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   Three Little Birds

   Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Exodus (1977)

   Pure, reassuring sunshine.

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10. 10
    JM
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    Police and Thieves

    Junior Murvin · from Police and Thieves (1977)

    Sweet falsetto over a Lee Perry groove.

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11. 11
    CU
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    Two Sevens Clash

    Culture · from Two Sevens Clash (1977)

    The Rastafarian prophecy, the dread bass, and the apocalyptic mood.

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    BM
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    Jamming

    Bob Marley and the Wailers · from Exodus (1977)

    Pure joy distilled into three minutes.

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