King Jammy's

“The one essential book on reggae remains Beth Lesser’s slim but lively and informative story.” — Peter Dalton, co-author of The Rough Guide to Reggae.

A window into the life and work of King Jammy, this book looks at one of Jamaica’s legendary sound system owners and record producers — the man credited with saving reggae music by injecting it with new life through the development of digital rhythms. While the dominant roots sound that had come to define reggae during the 1970s had been primarily associated with ganja and Rastafari, the fresh sound that was coming out of Jammy’s studio was upbeat, aggressive, and thoroughly modern in its use of electronic drums and keyboards. This book makes no attempt to cover the history of reggae or search out the roots of this popular musical form. Instead, it takes a detailed look at the musical history of one man, the legendary King Jammy, and intertwines his unique story with a portrait of the times in which he lived and worked.

• Includes rare interviews with dancehall legends Admiral Bailey, Cocoa Tea, and Sugar Minott.