Reggae

Reggae

1. 1950's

   • Mento
     • Influenced by R'n'B from US
     • Bands formed, recorded and played Mento
   • Selectors
     • Mento was played in travelling dance halls - 1950
     • DJ's in dance halls named selectors
     • Selectors picked the records played
     • 'Toasting' done by selectors
       • Selectors spoke over the record
         • Early form of Rap
   • Influence of Soul
     • Instrumentation
       • Electric band and horns
     • Upbeat tempo
     • Vocals and backing vocals

2. Early 60's

   • Ska
     • Keyboard plays offbeat
     • Soul with Jamaican, Carribean and American influence
     • Small influence of American blues
     • Stronger influence of soul than Mento
     • More electric instruments than aoustic
     • Slower tempo than Mento
     • Change of instrumentation
       • Text/ lyrics become more important
         • Political / social context
         • Influences from America
         • Larger importance of Bass

3. Mid 60's

   • Rocksteady
     • Jamaican equivalent of Punk
     • Slower than Ska
     • Rude boys
       • Played many tracks in dance halls at half speed
       • Promoted tougher image
     • Bass again more melodic

4. Late 60's

   • Reggae
     • Ragged style of Jamaican dance and pop music
     • Reinvention of American R'n'B
       • Combination of Mento and R'n'B
     • Growing influence of political themes
       • Rastafarian movement
     • Typical features of reggae
       • Slow tempo
       • Bass guitar more melodic
       • Still use of vocal group and horns
       • Influences of Soul
         • Use of strings
         • Influences from Motown and Phil Spector
       • One drop drum pattern
         • Drop beat 1
         • Bass drum - beat 1 and 3
         • Snare drum - 2 and 4
       • Trifunctional bass part
         • Rhythmic , harmonic and melodic
       • Continuous hi-hat pattern
         • Played on all quaver beats
         • Hypnotic trance like effect