Yeah sorry I realise that reggae week has been and gone, but I just wanted to share this track. A Kiwi reggae act by the name of Katchafire. Astonishingly tight live, wicked for all those enjoying the summer in the southern hemisphere like myself! Beers + BBQ + ganja = as good as it gets.

Katchafire's Slow Burning album is really good but the last album I heard (Say What You're Thinking) was a big let down. They started life as a Bob Marley tribute act if I remember rightly.

Wow I'm deeply impressed with your knowledge Jackhammer! Yep they did indeed start off as a Bob Marley tribute band. I was too young at the time but I've heard that back in the day, Katchafire used to play a set of their own material and then a set of covers. When smoking was still legal indoors, Katchafire gigs were THE gigs to attend, especially in summer! I agree that the older stuff is better. I would recommend their first album: Revival also. This one just seems more rootsy and less self-indulgent. Say What You're Thinking was a bit too ambitious and unfortunately not so well executed imo. They also have a new album out which I have not had the opportunity to check out yet...

Here's Katchafire covering Three Little Birds



Listen for the "you fullahs aren't geeks." Hilarious.

Pink Freud's avatar is hilarious.

As far as my favourite reggae artist...well...I really like some of the bass lines of Dubconscious.

But my favorite single artist overall I would have to go with either Michael Franti or possibly Joseph Israel - check them out at their respective Myspace sites.

Also, check out Deep South Dread on Myspace. I tried to post links to all these things but the stupid rules dictate I have to make 15 posts on the forum before I am allowed to post URLs.

Jeez, of all the thousands of Jamaican artists you could choose as a favourite reggae star, people are seriously mentioning Michael Franti?? Man, I loved the disposable heroes but most of his solo stuff was poor and besides it really really ain't reggae.

I'd have to go for Eek-a-Mouse. The way he managed to combine the most beautiful melodies with a very humourous and light-hearted style (much needed after the sublime but very serious roots music of the 70s), yet still throwing up every now and then some unbelievably poignant and heartfelt lyrics. 'Too Young to Understand', the closer on the awesome wa-do-dem album is a classic example (it's on youtube I just can't post urls yet)

His work with Henry Junjo Lawes, one of the island's finest and most prolific producers of the 80s is fabulous. Wa-Do-Dem and Mouseketeer are two great albums but he's consistently made good records and is still doing so now. And his is the best name for an artist ever!

For me, you can't beat Wave of War by Joe Higgs (the original Sioux label 45) because it gives strength and courage and energises the defeated. It has a rhythm that reaches your soul - notice at the end Higgs throws up the rhythm ("and he's my soul and my salvation all day long ...") like a pack of cards and they all land face up in perfect order (to use an analogy). This tune has seen me through my darkest days for over 40 years now. The man is a true genius - thank you Joe.

Sublime has to be mine. I have been listening to the same Sublime songs since the 90s and they have never got old. I understand that Sublime can be punk rock/ska sometimes but the majority of their songs are reggae/dub. Sublime is underrated these days and they definitely don't get as much recognition as most band that were.

I don't listen to reggae, but if I did, it would be Yellowman


Zungguzungguguzungguzeng - Yellowman - YouTube

Beres Hammond. He is the Marvin Gaye of Reggae.

Favourite reggae artist
 

well I love reggae and obviously bob marley is da king of reggae and will always b....
But along side im as da greatest in order is...
2.Dennis brown
3 beres hammond
4 freddie mcgregor
5 garnett silk
Amazing top 5 artists not just in reggae but inda whole world