Trojan Presents Original Reggae

Towards the close of 1968, Jamaica experienced the latest in a series of major musical revolutions, as the cool sound of Rock Steady was usurped by a jumpier, less relaxed style that soon became known as Reggae.

The sound quickly caught on in Britain, where a number of Jamaican acts became household names after experiencing major UK chart successes.

But following the international success of Bob Marley & the Wailers in the early Seventies, Jamaican music became increasingly introspective, leading to the development of the Roots Reggae.

This 40 track 2CD collection focuses on a time before religion and cultural heritage became the dominant themes within the islands music, tracing its development from its conception through to the period immediately preceding the Roots era.

All of the tracks featured were major local hits from the five years between the period spanning 1968 and 1973, with many of the performers going on to become international stars.