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The term reggae, in a proper sense, only covers the period in Jamaican music from 1969 to 1979 (or 1985 depending on opinion).
However in today's vernacular, the term has come to refer to all Jamaican music from the development of ska in the early 1960s up until today. Rather than create a more confusing List of Genres of Jamaican music but not Jamaican R&B or Mento article, it is pertinent to keep everything under the reggae name whether it warrants it or not. The following genres are listed in roughly chronological order.
- Ska is the first major local Jamaican genre, derived from American Jazz and R&B, flourishing from 1961 or 1962 to around 1966. It is characterised by a fast, syncopated rhythm guitar stroke, driving horns and boogie-style stand-up bass. Major ska artists include Laurel Aitken, Derrick Morgan, Prince Buster and The Skatalites. The style influenced the 1980s British 2 Tone ska revival, which was a mixture of ska, punk rock and pop music.
- Rocksteady is a slower musical style, with a tempo in between ska and early reggae (between 1966 and 1968). Besides the slower pace, its main feature is the electric bass, which takes on the position of lead instrument with intricate melodies and a high position in the mix. Rocksteady is known for its Impressions-styled vocal harmonies. Major artists include Alton Ellis, Ken Boothe, The Paragons and Desmond Dekker.
- Early reggae (or skinhead reggae), is generally considered to be the period before the Rastafari movement entered mainstream Jamaican music from 1968 to 1970. It can be distinguished from rocksteady by the slightly faster beat marked out by the drummer using the hi-hat, heavy organ lines, lower mixing of the bass, and electronically doubled rhythm guitar stroke. It met great success in the UK, especially with the skinhead subculture. Major artists include John Holt, Toots and the Maytals, The Pioneers and Symarip.
- Dub is an instrumental genre built around the application of electronic equipment on existing recorded tracks. Its sound (built around individual instrumental tracks changing volume, appearing, disappearing, all while various effects and filters are applied to them) has proven very influential on modern dance music. Major artists include King Tubby, Lee "Scratch" Perry and Scientist.
- Roots reggae is perhaps the best-known form of reggae today, with its Rastafarian message. Early reggae production is further developed with electronics and influences from contemporary western music. Although largely supplanted in the popular imagination by Dancehall in 1979, the style continues even today as a minority underground genre. Bob Marley is the internationally most famous exponent of the style, but Peter Tosh, Horace Andy, Black Uhuru and The Abyssinians are also well known.
- Rockers style was created during the mid-1970s by Sly & Robbie, who at the time were the rhythm section of The Revolutionaries. Rockers is described as a militant, mechanical, and aggressive style of playing reggae music.[1]
- Dancehall, starting in 1979, is characterised by stripped-down, spacious productions, prominent basslines and the inclusion of dub-style effects, often coupled with bawdy 'slackness' lyrics. The genre spawned a new generation of Jamaican stars, including Barrington Levy, Yellowman and Eek-a-Mouse.
- Lovers rock (also known as British Lover's rock), became popular in the late-1970s to mid-1980s. It is characterized by its smooth, Quiet Storm-type musical style infused with a gentle reggae beat. This genre of reggae began in the UK but spread out quickly; reaching popularity in Jamaica as well. Janet Kay, Audrey Hall and Maxi Priest are some examples of Lover's Rock performers.
- Ragga, or raggamuffin, is electronic dancehall music. Beginning under producer Prince Jammy in 1985, the genre originally was produced on simple keyboards but eventually other synthesisers have been added. Super Cat, Shabba Ranks and Charlie Chaplin are some of the well-known artists of the eighties and early nineties.
- Rumble is a mixture of roots reggae, garage, soul and ska first created and popularised by Mandeville the house band of the popular reggae group Me & You.
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