Reggae | World Music Central

Party Time – The Sunshot Singles 1974 covr artwork. A 1970s photo of black men and women, and a white woman, dancing in in a club.

Album reviews

Riddim and Shine: Phil Pratt’s 1974 Sunshot Classics Return

Various Artists – Party Time – The Sunshot Singles 1974 (‎ Doctor Bird, 2025) This 2CD collection calls to attention the influential work of Jamaican…

The album cover for Weh Dem Fah by Carl Meeks features the artist seated on a concrete ledge, dressed in a beret, graphic t-shirt, and patterned jeans. Angular typography displays his name in the top left, while the album title appears in red script against a blue-and-red striped border.

New CDs

Carl Meeks’ 1988 Album Weh Dem Fah Set for Digital Reissue July 18

Joe Nash July 18, 2025 No Comments Carl Meeks dancehall reggae Reggae world music

Carl Meeks – Weh Dem Fah (North Parade, 2025) Carl Meeks’ cult 1988 LP Weh Dem Fah, produced by Hugh “Redman” James, will be released…

The album cover for Mana by Mama Djara features an illustration of a raised fist emerging from swirling, root-like lines that transform into tree branches. The artwork is bathed in a vibrant gradient of reds, purples, greens, and blue. The title Mana is prominently displayed in large, hand-drawn letters beneath the central image, with the artist's name in white font at the top.

Music videos Single reviews

Mama Knows Best

Tom Orr July 3, 2025 No Comments Mama Djarra Reggae world music

Italy’s Mama Djarra infuses “Mana” with full-blooded declarations of female empowerment, resistance and solidarity, which happen to be a perfect match for the song’s militant…

The single cover for Bonzo Faya's "Indaco" (feat. Alan Barbizzi) features an abstract, high-energy visual of blue and yellow pigments colliding underwater, creating a dynamic splash effect. The title "INDACO" is displayed in white block letters at the bottom right, accompanied by graffiti-style lettering for Bonzo Faya's name and a smaller credit for Alan Barbizzi.

Music videos Single reviews

Done Deal Dub

Tom Orr June 9, 2025 No Comments Bonzo Faya dub reggae Reggae world music

It’s long been proven that authentic dub reggae need not come from Jamaica, and Italy’s Bonzo Faya reinforces that contention throughout “Indaco,” a saxophone-seasoned slice…

The album cover for Better Angels by BOP (harvey) features an abstract painting of five colorful figures playing instruments. Set against a swirling backdrop of electric blue, fiery red, and golden yellow, the figures mix angelic and devilish traits—some with halos, others with horns. The band name and album title appear in yellow text.

Music videos Single reviews

Troubling Times Recalled

Tom Orr May 31, 2025 No Comments Reggae world music

Reggae, rock and a civil rights history lesson converge to make “Good Trouble” by American band BOP(harvey) exactly the kind of trouble you’ll want to…

The single cover features Angelo Rascool in a cream pinstripe suit and red tie, seated with hands pressed in a prayer gesture. He's wearing dark sunglasses and rings. Set against a geometric backdrop under clear blue skies.

Music videos Single reviews

Still a Clear and Present Danger

Tom Orr May 27, 2025 No Comments Angelo Rascool Reggae world music

The good news about “Sida” by France’s Angelo Rascool is that the track is a chant-heavy Africanized reggae grand jam. Sad to say, it’s on…

The album cover for Dubcall – Everyday Blues features a watercolor-style illustration of a masked figure in a jester-like hat playing a stringed instrument. The background is split into dark and purple tones. The title “Dubcall” appears prominently at the top in serif type, while “everyday blues” is placed at the bottom in lowercase yellow font. A subtitle reads: "The Dubinvestigator presents: heavyweight dub and instrumentals 2008–2011."

Music videos Single reviews

Dub Us This Day

Tom Orr May 25, 2025 No Comments Dubcall Reggae world music

Long gone are the days when I fancied a homegrown reggae scene in Sweden to be a novel thing. The latest reason to know it’s…

The single cover for "Teach the Youths" by Little Guerrier featuring Tarrus Riley presents at the center of the image, both artists stand side by side, saluting with their hands.

Music videos Single reviews

Learn Your Lessons Well

Tom Orr May 16, 2025 No Comments French reggae Little Guerrier Reggae Tarrus Riley world music

With a bit of help from Tarrus Riley, French reggae artist Little Guerrier imparts both wisdom and the need for it with his song “Teach…

The album cover for Ganja Man by Linval Thompson features a close-up of the reggae artist smoking a joint, wearing a multicolored knit tam hat. The background blends earthy tones with distressed textures and layered typography, including phrases like “Roots & Culture” and “Foundation.”

Album reviews

Irie Times Are Here To Stay

Tom Orr May 10, 2025 No Comments Irie Ites Linval Thompson Reggae world music

Lest anyone be concerned that the re-emergence of roots reggae music hasn’t sufficiently overtaken the previous dominance of dancehall, recent releases from France’s Irie Ites…

The cover for Feel the Love by Dukes of Roots features a sunset-toned illustration framed in a circular design. At the center, two large hands gently cradle a tree silhouetted against a radiant sun, which is stylized with swirling, leaf-like rays. Mountains, clouds, and distant trees add depth to the landscape. The title and artist name appear at the bottom in bold, art-deco-inspired typog

Music videos Single reviews

How It Feels

Tom Orr May 9, 2025 No Comments Dukes Of Roots Reggae world music

Anchored by veteran reggae bassist Fully Fullwood, Dukes of Roots urges one and all to “Feel the Love.” It may not be an easy thing…