麻豆社

The magnetic younger brother of Ska and Rocksteady, reggae with its heavy bass vibrations was irresistible when it appeared in the late 1960s in Jamaica. It would go on to become one of the most loved music genres around the world. .

Reggae musicians sang of the enslavement, poverty, oppression, and resistance which coloured Jamaica's history. Its conscious lyrics are just as important as its sound, as typified by the master, Bob Marley.

David Amanor explores just how far Reggae has travelled with musicians such as South Korean outfit Oriental Showcus who've just released their debut album, a youthful band from Mozambique who ironically go by the name of Gran'ma. The Hempolics from the UK treat us to a master class in how they produce their very particular sound, and Israeli group Ana RF bring a very distinctive Middle Eastern flavour to their brand of reggae. Plus a young artist from Senegal, Dread Vivas, tells us why his love of reggae spurred him on to learn to speak English so that he could really connect with the sentiments expressed in the music he loves.

Credit: A closeup of a red, black, green and yellow pattern, Credit: Getty Images