- Paperback: 592 pages
- Publisher: Viking (31 Aug 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0670855634
- ISBN-13: 978-0670855636
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.4 x 4.4 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,307,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #66 in Books > History > Countries & Regions > Central America & Caribbean > Caribbean Islands > West Indies > Jamaica
- See Complete Table of Contents
Bass Culture: When Reggae Was King
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Product Description
Product Description
This history of reggae music covers from the Jamaican R and B and Calypso of the post-war years, to the surge of interest in the 1990s. As well as tracing the musical history, this book explains the historical and social background which are crucial to the understanding of its development. There are four main centres, in chronological order - Jamaica, London, New York and Toronto.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Lloyd Bradley is to be congratulated for this most readable and informative book. This is a serious and carefully crafted book that obviously reflects the author's love of post 60s Jamaican music.
Each genre within the broad church that is 'reggae' is treated in an in-depth manner and is brought to life by interviews with the surviving artists. You can almost smell the herb.
Thankfully, the author manages to avoid a tribute to the might of Bob Marley, but steers his way deftly through the many artists that were actually appreciated by admirers of the style - whether they be in damp London clubs or Kingston lawns. As a result, the book provides a remarkable portrait and accurate social documentary of what, how and who created the form that is sweet reggae music.
Interspersed with vivid vignettes of street life of the time, the picture is one of struggle and sufferation as a nation evolves its own musical identity. The emphasis is on the period up to 1980, with detailed descriptions of the emerging sound systems, deejay culture and the influence of rastafarianism. The coverage of this era is fascinating.
The period of 1980-2000 is covered in relatively few pages, perhaps reflecting the author's dislike of the violent and slack world of ragga, gun culture and cocaine that this period evoked. If the book has a failing it would be the scant coverage of stars such as Shabba Ranks, Buju Banton and Terror Fabulous, to name a few. Although the violent overtones of this time may be open to derision, some of the music itself has an important place in modern day Jamaican youth culture - perhaps as much as roots did for the generation before.
For anyone interested in reggae music, its evolution and history Bass Culture is a must have immediate purchase. Congratulations to Lloyd Bradley.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I really enjoyed this book.
Firstly, it is a very comprehensive, well researched book covering the period up to 1980 in great detail.
Secondly, it is related in a very good humoured, likeable way. Bradley is a great guide to all this - funny, enthusiastic and perceptive. Never pompous or dogmatic, unlike some other authors covering this period. This is by far the easiest and the best-written narrative of this type, and I've read a few in my time.
The book ends, as lots of other reviewers have mentioned, in about 1980. Subsequent years are covered in passing, but not in detail. For me, this isn't a massive problem - my interest peaked in the 70s and I'm happy to leave the story there. This might be a problem for younger readers though (god, HOW patronising do I sound??).
Plenty of great stories in these pages. I particualy loved the connection made between the music that came out of Jamaica with the political and other events during this period - one drove and inspired the other. Also enjoyed the sense of optimism and fun as independance dawned (but which soon faded however).
If you want a book covering this period, please get this one. There are a lot of po-faced serious tomes out there which might be more 'comprehensive' or 'definitive' but this is the one, the only one, you really need.
Firstly, it is a very comprehensive, well researched book covering the period up to 1980 in great detail.
Secondly, it is related in a very good humoured, likeable way. Bradley is a great guide to all this - funny, enthusiastic and perceptive. Never pompous or dogmatic, unlike some other authors covering this period. This is by far the easiest and the best-written narrative of this type, and I've read a few in my time.
The book ends, as lots of other reviewers have mentioned, in about 1980. Subsequent years are covered in passing, but not in detail. For me, this isn't a massive problem - my interest peaked in the 70s and I'm happy to leave the story there. This might be a problem for younger readers though (god, HOW patronising do I sound??).
Plenty of great stories in these pages. I particualy loved the connection made between the music that came out of Jamaica with the political and other events during this period - one drove and inspired the other. Also enjoyed the sense of optimism and fun as independance dawned (but which soon faded however).
If you want a book covering this period, please get this one. There are a lot of po-faced serious tomes out there which might be more 'comprehensive' or 'definitive' but this is the one, the only one, you really need.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This gives the right balance of social history, music history and information without overloading me with facts I can't digest. As a result I've gone off to discover new music by new artists (or rather old and dead ones, but you know what I mean). I'm not a great reader of music books, for reasons similar to those given by other reviewers of this book, but this is an exception. Well written and consistantly interesting.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Book. Bass Culture.
The book arrived on the day it was supposed to and in the condition as advertised. I can't fault the service. 10/10.
Published 10 months ago by P. M. Onslow
Great read!
Great book, finished it in 2 weeks!!!
Lots of info about the development of reggae in Jamaica and the UK. Read more
Lots of info about the development of reggae in Jamaica and the UK. Read more
Published 11 months ago by eddy wally
Covers the Broader History in Reggae - A Great Read....
This book is such a great read, I am so pleased that somebody had the ability and dedication to put together such a comprehensive book about reggae. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Mr. William C. A. Dorey
Informative, interesting and will help dispell the stereotypes of...
As a dj playing original roots and dub, Bass Culture was a godsend. This book is highly informative and contains enough captivating and meaningful anecdotes to hold your... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2007 by Roots Rally Sound System
NOT COMPREHENSIVE AND POORLY WRITTEN
Bigger isn't always better. Bass Culture may be thick but it covers musch less ground than Reggae Routes : The Story of Jamaican Music and is not nearly as well written. Read more
Published on 25 Aug 2002
Comprehensive, compelling and essential
Utilises a mixture of social and cultural analysis aligned to verbatim quotes from many of the key players - this is a compelling read which has inspired me to dust off many an old... Read more
Published on 9 Mar 2002 by nigeyb
Comprehensive history of reggae and Jamaican music
Lloyd Bradley has done an excellent job with this book of not just documenting the origins and developement of what came to be reggae music but also capturing the social and... Read more
Published on 10 Jan 2002 by Cathal Mooney
Superb book and a great read
Even for someone like me with only a passing interest in Reggae this book is a riveting read. The history alone is fascinating and the sense of the culture is breathtaking. Read more
Published on 10 Dec 2001
A scorcher!
I could not put this book down....Ok,I'm biased,already a massive ska and reggae fan,I needed this book; but even though there are other books out there for the reggae train... Read more
Published on 3 Nov 2001
Reggae in Context
This is a deep and funny book that puts Reggae, as well as the musics that came before and after into their correct settings. Read more
Published on 30 Aug 2001
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