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Reggae music in all its various forms – ska, rock steady, roots, toasting – is without doubt the single greatest legal export of the island nation of Jamaica. But most people’s knowledge of reggae is limited to a few greatest hits compilations (Bob Marley’s Legend, UB40′s Labor Of Love), and to Johnny Nash’s admittedly brilliant single I Can See Clearly Now (which was written by Marley). Lucky for you, however, I happen to have smashing taste in reggae plus a big honkin’ collection of reggae albums (that’s right, sucka, I said “album”), so sit back while I impart a little learnin’.

I have created an iTunes playlist with these thirteen songs. If you would like to purchase these songs on iTunes, just go to iTunes, search for the playlist (“A Reggae Sampler”), and it will give you an option to purchase. I’m not trying to sell you anything, I don’t make a single penny if you purchase anything, it’s just my way of helping you along in your education. Leave some positive feedback while you’re there.

You can see prior installments in this series here and here.

Peter Tosh, Get Up, Stand Up: Peter Tosh was always the most militant of the Wailers, so it should come as no surprise that after parting ways with Bob Marley, he cut his own version of Get Up, Stand Up, the Wailers’ political call-to-arms. What may surprise the uneducated is that Tosh absolutely owns this song, making it his own and far outdistancing the original. This is roots reggae of the highest order.

Toots and the Maytals, Country Road: “Almost heaven … West Jamaica“? Yep, you heard it, folks, John Denver gets the island treatment. Sounds hokey, but the Maytals’ version, fueled by Toots Hibbert’s joyous vocal, is a revelation and a reggae classic. John Denver never sounded so good. Toots and the Maytals have been going strong since the 1960′s and are still touring today. Catch them if you can.

Big Youth, Streets of Africa: First John Denver … now … War? You heard right – War’s 1972 classic, The World is a Ghetto, gets worked up by Jamaican toastmaster Big Youth. Streets of Africa was never a “hit,” but it has a dreamy, ethereal feel about it, and with the rootsy rhythms of the Soul Syndicate and backing vocals from The Heptones, it certainly should have been a hit. This, too, is wonderful roots reggae.

Desmond Dekker, Israelite: Desmond Dekker was among the earliest reggae stars and was the first to chart a Top Ten hit in the United States, with 1968′s Israelite. Dekker’s staccato rude boy lyrics are often indecipherable (see if you can hear the Bonnie & Clyde reference buried in the lyrics), but it’s hard to resist that background singer with the deep voice, whose only job is moaning “oooooo, the Israelite.”

Gregory Isaacs, Private Beach Party: Gregory Isaacs was a mainstay of the Jamaican music scene for almost thirty years, and the album Private Beach Party was among his best. This, the title track, is a perfect example of “lovers rock,” a lighter, more pop-oriented style of reggae that developed as an alternative to the more intense roots reggae. Gregory Isaacs passed away from lung cancer in December 2010.

The Heptones, Book of Rules: One of the great reggae bands of the rock steady era, The Heptones’ trademark was their soaring harmonies and the silky smooth vocals of lead singer Leroy Sibbles. Both are gloriously on display with Book of Rules. Some deep stuff here: “Each is given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass, and the Book of Rules.”

Jimmy Cliff, The Harder They Come: The Harder They Come – the 1972 Jamaican movie – introduced reggae music to the world. The soundtrack, featuring Jimmy Cliff, Toots Hibbert, The Slickers, Desmond Dekker, and the Melodians, among others, is a virtual primer on reggae music. If you want to dive a little deeper into reggae, then the soundtrack is a great place to start. This is Jimmy Cliff’s “alternate” version of the song.

Ken Boothe, Everything I Own: First John Denver … then War … and now … Bread? Bread? David Gates? Really? I know, I know, it doesn’t sound possible, and no one wants to admit they ever listened to a Bread song, even one covered by another artist, but Ken Boothe’s cover of Everything I Own is outstanding. Let down your guard and give it a listen.

The Melodians, Rivers of Babylon: The Old Testament lament of the 137th Psalm, set to reggae music. “By the rivers of Babylon, where we sat down, and there we wept, when we remembered Zion.” Rivers of Babylon was also featured on the soundtrack to The Harder They Come.

The Slickers, Johnny Too Bad: The last selection in the list from The Harder They Come, Johnny Too Bad is the finest example of rude boy reggae. Abraham Green’s plaintive, soulful vocal and the rock steady rhythm guitar make Johnny Too Bad a Jamaican classic that has been covered numerous times, most notably by UB40 on their seminal collection of early reggae covers, Labour of Love.

Third World, 1865 (96 Degrees In The Shade): Third World was occasionally criticized for being too slick and commercial, and sometimes the criticism was deserved. But not here: definitely not here. 1977′s 96 Degrees In The Shade is classic roots reggae. Real hot.

Tony Tribe, Red Red Wine: Hard to believe that a minor Neil Diamond hit from 1968 would come to be recognized as one of the all-time reggae classics, but that’s exactly what Tony Tribe’s cover of Red Red Wine has become. And besides, if Bread could, why not Neil Diamond? Like Johnny Too Bad, Red Red Wine would get exposed to an even wider audience when it was included on UB40′s Labour of Love in 1983.

Bob Marley and the Wailers, High Tide Low Tide: There’s no way to put a collection like this together without a tip of the hat to the Bobster. But what song to pick? There are so many Wailers classics to choose from, but many of those same classics suffer from overexposure; I mean, really, how many times can you listen to I Shot the Sheriff? So I’m going deep in the vault for High Tide Low Tide, a soft gem from 1973′s Catch A Fire’.

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