Books & Recommended Reading

Some Recommended Reading on Jamaican Music,
Folklore, Jamaican humour, History & Politics

Deep Down with Dennis Brown
By Penny Reel
A Drake Bros Publication

I was thrilled when Dennis hit the UK Charts with a revised version of “Money In My Pocket”, I had always liked the original song and felt this was a timely redo and such a thrill to see Dennis on “Top Of The Pops” for the first time.

I had been a fan of Dennis Brown since 1971, He couldn’t do anything wrong to these ears, and Jamaicans agreed, he was known as the “Boy Wonder” at home, Dennis wasn’t the first child star but he was arguably one of the most popular Artists in Jamaican Music.

I was devastated by the news of Dennis’s passing in 1999 (at only 42 years old) a year that ended being one of the worst years for the amount of passings in the Reggae world.

I bought this book as soon as I saw it, (listed on Bob Brooks Reggae Revive list, I think he was one of the first to stock it).

This is the first book to be dedicated to Dennis, it is written by someone I had admired as one of the best in Reggae MusicJournalism,Penny Reel ‘The Observer’, who’s articles I had been reading since the mid 1970’s. I was not to be disappointed, this book goes a long way to understanding the Reggae Scene in the 1970’s and brings the People and Places to life. From the start of reading I couldn’t put the book down, travelling back in time to my days in London and memories of a good spell for the Music, for those who didn’t live through this time its an eye opener.

This unique and very important book, should appeal to anyone with even a passing interest in the music.

BUY IT AND READ IT and enjoy a trip down memory lane when Dennis was full of life and Penny Reel is at his best, need I say more?

Reggae Routes The Story Of Jamaican Music
Kevin O’Brien Chang & Wayne Chen
Temple University Press

This is the first book written by Jamaicans on Jamaican Music. It is easy to forget by International fans of Jamaican Music that the music created in Jamaica was aimed at Jamaicans both home and abroad, this book is essential for understanding the Jamaican perspective on theirmusic.

With details of some of the best selling records (in Jamaica), Jamaican Record Charts, Top Selling Artistsand good articles on different styles of the music. This book is highly recommended.  

The Rough Guide To Reggae
Steve Barrow & Peter Dalton
Rough Guides Ltd

Now into the second edition with the third edition is imminent.  

This book is the Reggae Lovers Bible, in the second edition Steve & Peter have included more about Jamaican Jazz Music and Artists & Mento Music than they did in the first edition which is a great addition to the book.

Although it may need a name change eventually with more of Jamaica’s different Musical styles included in its pages, maybe A Rough Guide to Jamaican Music would suffice.

The Genius Of Lee Scratch Perry People Funny Boy
David Katz
Payback Press

Anyone remembering their first exposure to Reggae Music must place the most eccentric & talented Artist, Producer & Engineer Lee Perry as one of their true greats from the Coxsone Ska era through to his time with Joe Gibbs & the most eccentric work of his own in the late 1960’s & early 1970’s through to his own Black Ark era Lee Perry has been in the forefront of many developments in Jamaican Music.

People Funny Boy not only traces his life from Hanover’s totally rural setting to his association with Jamaican Music for the past 40 years or so. There is a short bibliography of Artists, Producers, Engineers, Musicians etc., through the book, an excellent read and reference book.

Solid Foundation An Oral History of Reggae
David Katz
Bloomsbury

A Different book to all others reviewed here as this book allows the Makers (Producers, Singers, Musicians & Engineers) a chance to put their contribution to Jamaican Music on paper, there are obviously conflicting memories but this makes it just as interesting. An excellent idea that works very well.

Many key Players are included I cannot list them all here but the range is from Jamaican R&B of the 1950’s to the Digital age. A great read & reference book.

When Me Was A Boy
Charles Hyatt
Heritage Books

Charles ‘Charlie’ Hyatt is a well-known Entertainer, Comedian, Writer & Broadcaster in Jamaica. He had a very successful Radio Programme called “When Me Was A Boy” some of the stories that appeared on that Programme are now available in this book.

Charlie recalls growing up in Kingston in the 1930’s when there were tramcars & the horse & buggy was the main transport. Charlie brings these days to life again in his growing up memories, which can be very funny at times.

This book may not be easy to get now but if you see it grab it.

Aunty Roachy Seh
Louise Bennett
Sangster’s Books

The Hon. Louise Bennett –Coverley, O.J.  Affectionately known, as ‘Miss Lou’ is the uncrowned Queen of Jamaica.  Writer, Broadcaster, Actress, all round entertainer & folklorist. This is only one of the many books she has written on everyday life in Jamaica, writing in patois she has a great sense of humour & sees the funny side of life. Any of Miss Lou’s books are worth checking out for her humour & observations of Jamaican dialect & the many phrases & stories that are used in Reggae music.

Miss Lou can also be heard on record and one that should be easy to find is from around 1981 the Island Records release “Yes Mi Dear” (Island Records Jamaica) includes some traditional songs & poems, stories with special guest LKJ.

The Politics Of Change
MichaelManley
Andre Deutsch

Michael also known in Jamaica through the 1970’s as ‘Joshua’ was leader of the People’s National Party taking over from his father Norman who lead the Country through to full Independence in August 1962.

Michael’s vision for Jamaica as part of the emerging Independent small Caribbean nations was for trade agreements and co-operation between the Islands & as a Socialist Michael created Employment & Legislation against discrimination of the Working Class, Women & Rastafarians on the Island. His greatest Political rival through the 1970’s was America & their allies in the Jamaican Labour Party led by Edward Seaga. With the heavy handed tactics of America & the IMF crippling Jamaica’s Economy & growth the 1980 JLP landslide victory was inevitable this Election Victory would spell the end of the Third World Congress & diplomatic relations with Fidel Castro of Cuba.

Reading about politics in Jamaica from the 1960’s up to the 1980’s explains a lot of the social lyrics in Reggae Music that became even more prevalent in the 1970’s & the rise of Rasta Culture as an alternative.

The Lonely Planet Guide to Jamaica

An excellent book, which includes a great section on the music. The book is full of information, not as many colour photos as the Discovery book, but it is pocket sized and is much easier to carry on your visit.

Insight Guide to Jamaica

If you cannot find the first book then we recommend The Isight Guide, which would be the best substitute. It has comprehensive details of places of interest and some very good maps; it also has a smaller section on the music.