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Listen the History of Jamaican Music:
From Folk to Mento
Provided by Reggaeplus Radio
History...From
Folk to Mento...
When most people think of music in Jamaica, they think Reggae. And
while Reggae music has been one of Jamaica's great exports, there
was a definite evolution to reach that point. Many people also know
of Reggae's 'grandfather' Ska and Reggae's predecessor Rock Steady.
But before those 2 genres...there was more. First and foremost was
Jamaican Folk music. It's evolution saw this folk music used at
certain social functions. For example - the music of the Pocomania
church, the fife and drum sound of Junkanoo, the European influence
Quadrille and the plantation influence 'work songs'. The first music
that was recorded in Jamaica was Mento which drew heavily from these
various forms of Folk music, not only with its repetoire, but also
from the instrumentation. Compared to Calypso, Mento was a distinctive
style that still has influence today. This winter of 2001 - 2002
marks the 50th anniversary of recording facilities in Jamaica. What's
that hair-colouring commercial that used to say "You've come a long
way Baby"? Jamaican music surely has. Listen
Now
Shop
Now for music by the artists featured in History of Jamaican Music.
Related links
• Discuss Jamaican
Music on our Music
Message board.
• See other Jamaican Music relates site in our links
directory.
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