Reggae Roots

If you've been listening of late, you know that I've kicked off the last few shows in a reggae way. It's a good transition from the synth-rock that's typically playing in the slot before mine, and the bass lines start to move us in the direction of straight disobedience.

This week (11/16/09) it was U-Roy's "Natty Rebel." Last time around (11/2/09) it was Skatalites' (w/ Bob Marley and the Wailers) "Simmer Down."

I've been a casual reggae listener for a lot of years, but it's only recently that I've made a concerted effort to school myself a bit in the fundamentals of roots and dub.

Toward that end, I've relied heavily on a reggae blog (Roots From My Yard), which a friend passed along to me earlier this year. This is a STELLAR collection of classic 7"s and 12"s served up as downloadable .mp3s, complete with scanned covers. The blog's author maintains a low (read: private) profile, but contributes smart, informative commentary, which nearly always points the way to some new nugget.

So, BIG UP to Lala, whoever you may be.