Jamaica's charm and magnetism has not only been acquired through the Island's beauty and warm people, but through the range and variety of Jamaican Musicians and their music. A visit to Jamaica becomes noteworthy because of its ambience, and the various forms of musical entertainment. Every memory that Tourists may harbor are usually serenaded by Jamaican sounds and rhythms.
 
Jamaica is a country that comprises of several forms of music, such as: Kumina, Niyabinghi, Mento, Ska, Rock Steady, Reggae, Sound Systems, Lovers Rock, Dub, Dance Hall, Dub Poetry, Toasting, Raggamuffin, Roots Reggae and Reggae Fusion, however, not all of these genres of music are heard around the island. There are five types of music that most Jamaicans can identify with, they are Ska, Rock Steady, Dub, Mento and Reggae.
 
The first popular music was Ska or Julian Jingles which was created in the early 60's. Ska is described as a fusion of Jamaican mento rhythms, R&B and American Music. Ska became very popular due to the middle class, a dance called "the ska" was eventually developed. Vocalists such as, Lascelles Perkins, Laurel Aitken, and Clancy Eccles  were instrumental in promoting ska to the top of the music charts. Groups like the Skattelites were formed; however, their fame was short lived due to another type of music emerging.
 
The Rock Steady sound swept Jamaicans off their dancing feet and began spreading to countries such as England and the United States. The first Rock Steady Band was Desmond Dekker in 1967. They arrived on the scene with musical hits such as "Shanty Town" and "Israelites". Their sound was embraced by the English working class, who were known as "skinheads", and by middle class Jamaicans. The rave for Rock Steady grew and the genre created another form of music called "skinhead reggae". Groups with the names like Symarip, Derrick Morgan and Desmond Dekker kept producing skinhead reggae music in order to satisfy the masses of audiences that craved that type of music.
 
Ska music and Rock Steady created a new fashion called "Rudeboys". They were bands and crowds who dressed in black & white clothing, expressing the disparity between blacks and whites in the communities in which they lived. Between 1966 and 1967, the terminology "rudeboys" became another name for Gangsters in Jamaica. 
 
Gangsters were youngsters who became victims of poverty and decrepit social conditions, causing them to turn to lives of crime. However, on the other side of the Atlantic, the term "rudeboys" in England was associated with visions of a "happy" dancing guy, dressed stylishly, wearing a fedora.
 
Reggae Music slowly evolved in the early 1970's and took hold of the worlds' hearts due to musicians such as Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. Lyrics about Love, Redemption and Natural Beauty captured International audiences creating notoriety on the World Reggae Music scene.
 
Dub finally emerged in the mid 70's as enhanced musical versions of Artists' musical endeavors. Dubs were described as previously recorded songs remixed with bass. Dub records were developed by Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby. Famous artists such as U-Roy and Big Youth were well known for their dub records and once again, a whole new generation of "Dubbers" were born. Teenagers of the era embraced dub music at parties and certain social gatherings.
 
The most heart warming form of music that brings back memories of yesteryear for Jamaicans is Mento music. Mento music is comprised of folk music, mento instrumentation and calypso. The first presenters of Jamaican mento music were the "Cudjoe Minstrels". However, the Hon. Louise Bennett-Coverly turned mento into an International art form with songs such as "Wheel and Tun Me" and "Long Time Gal Me Nevva See You".
 
During the past 50 years, there have been six musicians that have been Important Ambassadors in regards to keeping the genres of reggae, ska and dub alive. These musicians are as follows:
 
Robert Nesta Marley, also known as "Tuff Gong", born on February 6, 1945 in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. Bob Marley was Jamaica's legendary, Reggae Artist and Song Writer. He celebrated the genres of ska, reggae and rock steady in his songs. Remembered for being the lead singer of Bob Marley and The Wailers, for songs such as, "I Shot The Sheriff", "No Woman No Cry" and "Redemption Song". Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 of a cancerous melanoma that had spread to his lungs and brain.
 
Peter Tosh, born Winston Hubert McIntosh on October 19, 1944 in Grange Hill, Jamaica. He was a Reggae Musician and original member of the Wailers. Known for recordings entitled, "Catch a Fire", "Burnin" and "Legalize It". Peter Tosh wrote many of the Wailers songs, (i.e) "Get Up Stand Up!". He died on September 11, 1987 at the hands of Burglars who ransacked his home.
 
Bunny Wailer, born Neville O'Reilly Livingston on April 10, 1947, is a Jamaican Singer, Song Writer and Percussionist for The Wailers. He is considered one of the most important Reggae Singers in World Music, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. He earned fame and notoriety through albums entitled, "In I Father's House", "Blackheart Man" and "Roots Radios Rockers and Reggae".
 
Freddie McGregor, born on June 27, 1956 in Clarendon, Jamaica. He is one of Jamaica's longest lasting musicians, who has embraced all types of Jamaican music. He has gained success through songs such as, "Big Ship", "Stop Loving You" "Prophecy", "Push Come To Shove", "All In The Same Boat" and "I Was Born a Winner". In 1984 he formed the record label Big Ship and opened Big Ship Recording Studios.
 
Beres Hammond born Hugh Beres Hammond on August 28, 1955 in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, Jamaica. He is a Reggae Singer and Song Writer, who is known for songs entitled, "Tempted To Touch", "One Step Ahead", "Groovy Little Thing" and "How Can We Ease The Pain" (a recording with Maxi Priest).
 
Monty Alexander, born on June 6, 1944, he is a Master Pianist and Melodica Player who has been performing Jamaican jazz music for the past 50 years. He plays the music of greats such Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Cole Porter, just to name a few. He is listed as one of the fifty greatest musicians of all time by Hal Leonard (Author). He formed a Reggae Band in the 1990's releasing albums such as "Monty Meets Sly & Robbie", "Yard Movement" and "Goin Yard". Monty Alexander can be seen at the Blues Alley in Washington, DC, December 28-31, 2011, where he performs a musical journey entitled, "From Jamaica with Love". He will take his audiences on a trip through his Jamaican roots and his American jazz roots.
 
 
There is also another genre of music called Dance Hall which began by the "Big Three". The Big Three being, The Prince Buster, The Duke Reid and Sir Coxson Dodd. This is a form of music that although its sounds and lyrics are "catchy" and foot stomping, most well-to-do Jamaicans consider this form of music to be "rebel music". During the past few years many naysayers have blamed violence, drugs and youth delinquency on this form of music. Nevertheless, it is reminiscent of a country, its vibes, and the tribulations of the People.
 
Jamaicans are known throughout the world through the legends of Reggae Music. Even though we may speak different languages, eat different cuisines and hail from a different region in the World. The one thing that always unites folks no matter what color they are is music, and Reggae Music has the power to create peace in an unstable Universe.
 
As we embark on celebrating Fifty Years of Jamaican progression, we must remember all the Reggae Artists and Bands that made our evolution as a nation possible. The I-Threes,  The Skeletones, Mephiskepheles, The Clash, Mighty Boss Tones, The Boilers, Hingley & The Toasters, Second Step, The Beet Brigade and The Selecter, these bands all made it possible for future artists to accomplish great feats in the World Music Industry.
 
Although, Jamaica might still be striving in other areas such as Politics and Socio-economic matters, one realization is true, "We are little, but we tallawah when it comes to music!"
 
One Love.
 

Tags: 50 Years of Unforgettable Jamaican Music