Reggae, Ska and 2 Tone - Vinyl Records For Sale

Reggae is a music genre that originated in Jamaica and derived from American influenced rhythm and blues and calypso and soul.  It has a very distinctive rhythm and a strong bass influence.  It started in Jamaica in about 1962.  It became popular in the USA and in particular in the UK later in the 60's.  By the early 1970's it had started to cross over into mainstream pop music and major artists started to have major success.  These artists included the legendary Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals and Jimmy Cliff.


In 1972 Johnny Nash had a reggae number one for 4 weeks on the American billboard with 'I Can See Clearly Now'.  The reggae beat was taken up by Anglo Caribbean style bands in the UK, notably UB40 named after an unemployment document and Steel Pulse.  Some of the early reggae records on vinyl are now extremely hard to find and are highly sort after.


The reggae beat was made even more popular by major rock artists adopting the rhythm.  The Beatles had a big hit with 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' and Eric Clapton did a cover of bob Marley's 'I Shot the Sheriff'.  Most of the early pressings were in vinyl on 7 inch records, but 12 inch vinyl records are sort after by DJ's who use them on their twin decks for dance music.  These records are very difficult to find and early reggae commands high prices.  Very popular rock bands like the Police used reggae beats in the development of their sound with great effect and making reggae crossover into mainstream records.


Reggae has also influenced the modern rap, drum and bass and ska fusions.  Small runs on coloured vinyl in 12 inch formats have been produced and are highly collectable.  Planet Earth Records are able to supply a wide range of Reggae, Ska and 2 Tone music on vinyl.