The book presents an authoritative collection of 100 classic reggae albums, emphasising over 250 notable singles that contributed to the creation of these albums, providing a substantial overview of the significant releases during the formative years of reggae. The connoisseurs of Jamaican music often citing the period as the golden age of reggae or the Boss Reggae years. Trojan, Pama, and Island released numerous albums, many of which have been overlooked for over fifty years. At the time, most of these albums were not widely purchased due to the ability of few people to afford buying several albums per month, even with a budget cost of around 14/6.
The book is not a top 100, as there is no established criterion for defining a classic album, particularly within reggae. Each artist has a distinct identity, such as the falsetto voice of Eric Donaldson, the style of Toots And The Maytals led by Fredrick 'Toots' Hibbert’s vocals, or The Pioneers influenced by producer Leslie Kong.
100 Classic Reggae Albums is a celebration of some of the finest recordings and a snap-shot on the early years of reggae from 1968 -1973. The albums are arranged by year of release, though not strictly in chronological order, to provide a balanced representation between artist albums and various artist compilations. This arrangement showcases the development of reggae music over time.
Numerous other exceptional reggae albums exist and some favourites may be absent. Discerning readers will note that an additional four albums have been included but the title 104 Reggae Albums didn't quite cut it. The book will serve as a valuable resource for those interested in reflecting on the history of reggae or discovering these classic works for the first time.