Electro Reggae | Boutique Record Label & Music Blog
Editor: MC ZULU
What Is It?
A phrase originally coined by visionaries Sly & Robbie, “Electro Reggae” is a general term used to describe the fusion of Reggae with Electronic music. With origins dating back to 1972, the first deliberate attempt was the use of the Moog synthesizer, at a time when very few artists were willing to try it. Lee Scratch Perry and Aston “Family Man” Barrett can also be found at the forefront of the genre, through the use of The Rhythm King, an early drum machine.
Of course Dancehall, by nature, is Electro Reggae. As a new millennium, Post-Dancehall sound, however, the definition expands to incorporate the Caribbean-inspired contributions of music makers around the world. Modern day luminaries would be The Mad Stuntman. Max-A-Million, Mega-Man, Beenie Man, So Solid Crew, Warrior Queen, Sunship, Wylie, Ragga Twinz, MC Feral/Kinky, The Bug, DJ C, Ghislain Poirier and all the Jungle/Garage/Dubstep experimentalists.
My introduction to the genre was around 2005. It began as a series of e-mailed collaborations, with several artists, like this one (link to review). I got this URL because I call the music I make “Electro Reggae”. An additional purpose of this site though, is to chronicle the lineage of the aesthetic, as I learn more. That will be in the History section. Feel free to reach out with stories, suggestions, corrections, etc. E-mail: ZuluMusic (at) Gmail.com
Electro Reggae In Name:
The 1986 Taxi Gang album, produced by visionaries Sly & Robbie: They knew early on that they would have to experiment in order for their music to grow. These songs have a deliberate confidence to them, blending traditional and “computer” styles, influencing future genres in ways yet to be determined.
Caribbean music has always been about experimentation, and proceeding forward without having all the gadgets. They found new ways to utilize what was there. Because of that innovation Reggae in particular has left an unprecedented number of new trends in its wake. Many of these trends, such as Hip-Hop have changed the course of modern history. Reggae of course comes from Mento, Calypso, Blues and Soul which means origins can be traced to Negro Spirituals and ancient African traditions.