Reggae: The Rough Guide

The Rough Guide to Reggae covers the entire span of recorded music in Jamaica - from 1950s mento and R&B through to dancehall and ragga.

The chapters chart the music's evolution, including ska, rocksteady, roots, dub, toasting, and lover's rock, as well as reggae's offshoots in Britain, the US, and Africa. The book takes its focus from the singers and DJs, the equally important producers and session musicians, and the sound systems.

Throughout, there are interviews and features on the major artists, and reviews of the best discs, both on CD and vinyl.