Bass Culture: Early 80s Reggae Dancehall
This mix dives deep into the crucial transition period of Jamaican music during the early 1980s—those rich, rugged years when the roots reggae era evolved into the raw pulse of early dancehall, also known as rub-a-dub. The 17 tracks featured here capture the stripped-down riddims, streetwise vocals, and echo-laden dub textures that defined this moment in time.
These were the years when roots consciousness met sound system swagger, and the groove got heavier, slower, and more bass-focused. As political tensions rose in Jamaica and the optimism of the ‘70s roots began to fade, artists and producers responded with music that reflected reality—gritty, direct, and dance-ready.
About This Era (1979–1985): The Roots–Dancehall Crossover
Why It Happened
After nearly a decade of deeply spiritual and political roots reggae, a younger generation pushed for change. They craved music that could still carry a message but move the dancefloor and reflect everyday life. The result: rub-a-dub and early dancehall, a style with emphasis on drum and bass, minimal overdubs, and toasting (a rhythmic, talk-over vocal style) alongside melodic singing.
Who Shaped the Sound
Sly & Robbie (The Rhythm Twins): Their Taxi label and riddims drove innovation—combining militant basslines with minimal, hard-hitting drum grooves.
Henry “Junjo” Lawes: A towering figure of this time, producing massive hits for artists like Yellowman, Don Carlos, Michael Prophet, and more—often backed by the mighty Roots Radics band.
Roots Radics: The go-to session band for rub-a-dub—slow tempos, dubbed-out textures, and basslines that could anchor any vocal.
Joe Gibbs, Channel One, Jammy’s, Techniques, and Volcano were the key studios and labels shaping the sound.
PLAYLIST
Tony Tuff – Come Fe Mash It
Little John – Smoke Ganja Hard
Gregory Isaacs – Oh What a Feeling
Barrington Levy – Trying to Rule My Life
Half Pint – Sally
Michael Prophet – Gunman
The Meditations – Carpenter Rebuild
Linval Thompson – Look How Me Sexy
Don Carlos – Laser Beam
Super Cat – Dance Inna New York
Yellowman – Nobody Move Nobody Get Hurt
Freddie McGregor – Roots Man Skanking
Josey Wales – It A Fi Burn
Wailing Souls – Inchpinchers
Anthony Johnson, Jah Thomas, Toyan – Gunshot
Cornell Campbell – Boxing Around
Bunny Wailer – I'm The Toughest
UK