A selection from the Urbanimage Reggae Archives.

Lee 'Scratch' Perry, born in Kingston in 1939, graduated from being a 'selecter' on the Downbeat sound system and a 'fetcher' for Coxsone Dodd to a far more formidable figure following a notoriously acrimonious split with Dodd. Bob Marley would drop into Perry's shop, Upsetter Records, on Charles Street to check out this extrovert figure who delighted in word-play. Some people have attributed the birth of reggae to Scratch alone after he started dabbling with a music pace that made you feel, he said, as though you were stepping in glue. He had an international hit in 1969 with 'Return Of Django' by The Upsetters, his house band. The Upsetters, formerly known as The Hippy Boys, had been formed by bass player Aston 'Family Man' Barrett: when Family Man linked up with Lee Perry, the producer decided to make the bass the lead instrument of this new form of reggae in which he was now working. - ReggaeXplosion. Black heart, black ark. They are searching for a Noah ark. But there was no Noah ark. That is created by a white man because they want to fool somebody. N-O is no and A-H mean pain. So it mean no pain. - Lee Perry

Bunny Livingston became re-branded as Bunny Wailer following the break-up of the original group. As soon as his Blackheart Man album was released in 1976, it was apparent that as a solo artist Bunny was a very large talent indeed. - ReggaeXplosion

The complete online Peter Tosh photography collection all in one place. Including The Hellshire Beach sessions. A monocycle ride through Kingston and The Don't Look Back video with the Rolling Stones and Peter Tosh and some rare pics of Peter lost in Lagos

Gregory could have been a real contender, the man whose visits to the Cecil Gee store seemingly kept the UK clothing chain in profit had the most heartfelt style you could hope to hear. An enormous talent, he could pen a deliciously sensual song at the drop of one of his broad-brimmed hats; even at the turn of the millennium, a new Gregory Isaacs tune was still a guarantee of some quality. - ReggaeXplosion

Toots' former career as a barber probably ensured he would never grow dreadlocks. Although one of reggae's international pioneers, the fact that his espousal of Rastafari was only internal went against him during the late 1970s. Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups.

From St Ann's Bay came Winston Rodney, also known as Burning Spear: his gravelly vocals sounded as though they contained every piece of truth the island of Jamaica had ever known. It was Bob Marley, another man from the parish of St Ann, who had recommended that Rodney check the regular Sunday auditions at Studio One to see if he could get a record released. Soon Spear/Rodney had his first 45 out on Coxsone Dodd's label: 'Door Peep', another name for 'duppy', the Jamaican term for ghost, extraordinary subject-matter for a commercial disc. By 1975, still trading under the Burning Spear name, Rodney had taken up with Rupert Wellington and Delroy Hines in a vocal trio that took the favoured Jamaican form of the three-piece harmony group to its most extreme roots. With the Ocho Rios producer Jack Ruby, Spear made the Marcus Garvey and Man In The Hills albums, remarkable poetic works that expressed the profound vision of the rural Rastafarian. Working on his own from this time onwards, Burning Spear's music swiftly developed, to the point where his 1978 LP Social Living had a near-jazzy timbre. This was really revolutionary music. Spear, moreover, was an almost transcendent live performer, and his shows could touch you deep in your soul. Moving to New York, Burning Spear (pictured below left with Thomas Mapfumo, the giant of Shona music) toured the world, earning the occasional Grammy, and enjoying a thoroughly deserved position as the elder statesman of reggae. - ReggaeXplosion

Althea %26 Donna were a Jamaican reggae singing duo, best known for their 1977 single "Uptown Top Ranking".

Inner Circle is a Jamaican reggae group. The group was formed in 1968 by the brothers Ian and Roger Lewis in Jamaica. With Jacob Miller as their front-man and lead singer the band was one of the most popular in Jamaica during the 1970s.

The name Amazulu is taken from the Zulu language word for the Zulu people. The band was started by Sharon Bailey along with Rose Minor, who was the original lead singer. Initially a six-piece band, the group trimmed down to a trio of Anne-Marie Ruddock, Sharon Bailey and Lesley Beach during 1986 .

In the second half of the 1970s Aswad managed to be both the toughest and most musical manifestation of English reggae. Photosessions 1979-2009 from Brixton, West London Frontline and live at the Island 50 and 25 events.

Horace Swaby, known as Augustus Pablo, was a Jamaican roots reggae and dub record producer, melodica player and keyboardist, active from the 1970s onwards.

Beres Hammond is a reggae singer known in particular for his romantic lovers rock and soulful voice. His career began in the 1970s with the Zap Pow Band. He reached his greatest success in the 1990s.

Manley Augustus Buchanan, better known as Big Youth, is a Jamaican deejay, mostly known for his work during the 1970s.

From the tough neighbourhood of Waterhouse in West Kingston came Black Uhuru, another three-piece harmony group; its most commercial incarnation was the third line-up that featured Michael Rose, Puma Jones and Ducky Simpson (left to right on opposite page). Once paired with the production talents of Sly and Robbie (background image), they produced tracks of the quality of 'Plastic Smile', 'General Penitentiary' and 'Abortion'. Signed to Island Records, Black Uhuru were pushed and promoted as a functioning live act with Sly and Robbie as honorary members; their Sinsemilla, Red and Chill Out albums sold strongly, and they became a sizeable concert draw - although London dates became a problem following a fatal stabbing at their London debut at the Rainbow Theatre. Their militancy may have worked against them as their career progressed into the conservative 1980s, and when first Michael Rose left the group in 1985, followed by Puma the next year, the group came to a virtual standstill - sadly, Puma Jones died of cancer in 1990. - ReggaeXplosion

Carlton and the Shoes are a Jamaican vocal group who had their greatest success in the late 1960s, as rocksteady gradually became reggae and are still active in 2008.

Black Slate are a UK reggae band formed in 1974. They toured heavily around London and backed Jamaican musicians such as Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, and Ken Boothe when they played in the UK. They toured the UK in their own right for the first time in 1978, and released four albums between 1979 and 1985.

Clint Eastwood a Jamaican reggae deejay, who recorded as a solo artist in the late 1970s and early 1980s before teaming up with UK deejay General Saint as the duo Clint Eastwood & General Saint.

Culture was a Jamaican roots reggae group founded in 1976. Originally they were known as the African Disciples. The members of the trio were Joseph Hill, Albert Walker and Kenneth Dayes.

Dennis Emmanuel Brown was a Jamaican reggae singer. During his prolific career, which began in the late 1960s when he was aged eleven.

Dillinger was known for his quick wit, humorous lyrics and vulgar content.

Dr Alimantado, also known as The Ital Surgeon, is a Jamaican reggae singer, DJ, and producer.

Edmond Montague "Eddy" Grant is a Guyanese British musician. He was a founding member of The Equals, one of Britain's first racially integrated pop groups. He is also known for a successful solo career that includes the platinum single "Electric Avenue".

It's strange that this group isn't more well-known, since they've had some releases on Island Records which usually means a relatively good amount of exposure. In addition, Foundation's style of uptempo reggae with a balance of conscious lyrics and crossover appeal aided by the production of Steven "Cat" Coore, formerly of crossover band extraordinaire, Third World.

Paul Blake, better known as Frankie Paul, is one of Jamaica's best-loved and popular dancehall reggae artists. Born blind, he has been dubbed by some 'The Jamaican Stevie Wonder'. Wikipedia

Freddie McGregor has been variously a singer, musician and producer. According to Allmusic he is one of reggae's most durable and soulful singers.

Garnett Silk was a Jamaican reggae musician and Rastafarian, known for his emotive, powerful and smooth voice.

Earl George Lawrence, also known as George Faith, Earl George, and George Earl, was a Jamaican reggae singer best known for his work in the 1970s with producers such as Lee "Scratch" Perry and Bunny Lee. Wikipedia

jahman Levi is a reggae musician. His first album, Haile I Hymn, was released on Island Records in 1978. He became Ijahman Levi after a religious conversion to the Rastafari movement when he was in prison between 1972 and 1974. It and the three following records preached Rastafari movement as well as Twelve Tribes of Israel doctrine.

Working with Sky and Robbie, Ini Kamoze first hit the charts with 'Trouble You A Trouble Me'. In late 1994 he found himself at the top of the US charts with his excellent tune 'Hot Stepper'; the Lyrical Gangsta album that followed was targeted very much at the US hiphop audience who had bought that hit. - ReggaeXplosion

Jah Shaka has been operating a South East London-based, roots reggae Jamaican sound system since the early 1970s.

An excellent singer-songwriter, Jimmy Cliff was an international face of reggae music even before Bob Marley. In 1962, at the age of 15, he first emerged as a ska singer, having successes for Leslie Kong with 'King Of Kings' and 'Dearest Beverley'. Brought to the attention of Chris Blackwell, Cliff moved to London where he was groomed as an Island Records solo star. It was 1969 before he hit the UK pop charts, with his self-penned 'Wonderful World, Beautiful People', followed the next year by 'Vietnam'. Other hits included his cover of Cat Stevens' 'Wild World'. But Cliff's career took a quantum leap to iconic status when he starred as Ivan Martin in Perry Henzell's The Harder They Come. Although Chris Blackwell wanted to capitalise on this new recognition, Cliff left Island and signed with EMI. Although the quality of his work has never been in doubt, Jimmy Cliff never took full advantage of the break that The Harder They Come should have brought him. He remains, however, a huge star in France, Africa and South America.

Oscar Hibbert, better known as Junior Delgado, was a reggae singer, famed for his roots style.

Early photographs of Junior Murvin (born Murvin Junior Smith, circa 1949, Port Antonio, Jamaica, is a Jamaican reggae musician best known for the single "Police and Thieves", produced by Lee "Scratch" Perry in 1976.

Who are you, Luciano? I see myself as a serious messenger of the Almighty Jah, who has come to teach mankind something. We have all had our rough times in life, and after learning I and I realise what must be done. So for the benefit of our youngsters, and to redeem old souls, I must do things to spread the positive energy in life: by uniting with I and I it is the same Rastafari fire, igniting within I and I until we can continue to lift the flame higher and higher. Until you never know where we can lift it to. If allowed I and I can take the fire so high that mankind tremble in the sight of Jah Rastafari - ReggaeXplosion

Matumbi were one of top British reggae bands of the 1970s and early 1980s, and are best known as the first successful band of guitarist and record producer Dennis Bovell.

Max Romeo is a reggae and roots reggae recording artist who has achieved chart success in his home country, and in the UK. Romeo was responsible for launching a new sub-genre of reggae with overtly suggestive lyrics.

Michael Prophet's first recordings were for producer Yabby You in 1977, debuting with the single "Praise You Jah Jah". He had his first Jamaican hit with a version of The Heptones' "Fight It To The Top". His 1980 album Serious Reasoning was released by Island Records.

Mighty Diamonds are a Jamaican harmony trio, recording roots reggae with a strong Rastafarian influence.

Musical Youth are a British reggae band. They are best remembered for their successful 1982 single "Pass the Dutchie", which became a number 1 hit across the world. The band recorded two studio albums, and released a number of successful singles throughout 1982 and 1983.

Pablo Moses - a roots reggae vocalist

Neville Garrick is a Jamaican-born Los Angeles-based graphic artist and photographer. He is best known for creating the art work for many Bob Marley album covers, and designed the backdrops for the Reggae Sunsplash festival for much of the 1980s. He has also worked with Burning Spear, Steel Pulse and many others. He is also the author of A Rasta's Pilgrimage: Ethiopian Faces and Places.

The Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra, RPO Members: Andrew Tait, Ellen Blair, Everton Nelson, Ivan Hussey, Jenny Adejayan, John Taylor, Mykaell Riley, Sara Loewenthal, Stephen Hussey. Photos from the Jamaican tour and a video shoot at Londons Prohibition club.

Sly and Robbie the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production duo. Photosessions from London UK, Jamaica, New York with KRS1 and The Bahamas Compass Point studios with Ian Dury.

Steel Pulse is a roots reggae musical band, from the Handsworth area of Birmingham, England, which has a large majority of Afro-Caribbean, Indian and other Asian migrants. They originally formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass).

Sugar Minott: Tenor Saw had learnt the ropes with Sugar Minott's very influential Youth Promotion sound system, based in West Kingston, the selecter being the excellent deejay Jah Stitch; Barry Brown, Junior Reid, Trevor Hartley, Ranking Joe and Ranking Dread were further graduates of Minott's youth training scheme. - ReggaeXplosion

At first the reputation of Tapper Zukie, the man from Rema, was far greater in the UK and USA than in Jamaica. He cut his 1973 reputation-forging first LP, Man A Warrior, in England, where the Ethnic/Fight label owner Larry Lawrence, knowing of the toaster's reputation from his deejay residency with the Virgo sound system, recorded him for the first time. Zukie's 'MPLA' 45 was the largest-selling UK deejay hit of 1976, taken up by the likes of punk star Patti Smith.

The Abyssinians are a Jamaican roots reggae group, famous for their close harmonies and promotion of the Rastafari movement.

The Beat or London Beat : Dave Wakeling (vocals, guitar), Ranking Roger (vocals), Andy Cox (guitar), David Steele (bass), Everett Morton (drums), and Saxa (saxophone).

The Congos are a reggae vocal group from Jamaica active on and off from the mid-1970s until the present day. They are best known for their Heart of the Congos album, recorded with Lee "Scratch" Perry.

The Selecter are a 2 Tone ska revival band from Coventry, England, formed in mid 1979.

The 2-Tone movement of the late 1970s was a natural outgrowth of the punk-reggae fusion. Thanks to Jerry Dammers, the leader of the Specials and 2-Tone, the galloping beat of ska music was all over the UK charts in 1979 and 1980. These images were taken in the early1980's. Montreux Jazz festival, London and Brighton.

Third World, formed as a performing unit, this six-piece group's early work is still heard internationally, especially the superlative songs on 96 Degrees In The Shade, their second LP. Third World - Michael "Ibo" Cooper – keyboards, Irvin "Carrot" Jarrett – percussion , Carl Barovier – drums, Milton "Prilly" Hamilton – vocals, Bunny Rugs – vocals , Willie Stewart – drums

Tippa Irie is a British reggae singer and DJ from Brixton, South London. He first came to prominence in the early eighties as an MC on the South London reggae soundsystem Saxon Studio International.

Jamaican singer Tyrone Taylor was a versatile vocalist who recorded in a range of styles throughout his career. Although the tall and charismatic singer will forever be associated with Cottage in Negril.

U Brown aka New Roy, Hugh Brown, Nuroy is a reggae deejay.

One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.

The Wailing Souls are a Jamaican reggae vocal group still recording and performing live.

Yami Bolo has collaborated with some of reggae's greatest artists and producers; including Damian Marley, Tenor Saw, Sugar Minott, Capleton, Tapper Zukie, Sly and Robbie

Zap Pow Band with Beres Hammond - The 1979 line up photographed during the bands Island Records days.

90 degrees Inclusive - British Reggae Pop band produced by Eddie Grant

Born in London in 1971, Dean Bent began working on local sound systems as a teenager, bringing him to the attention of Angus Gaye of Aswad, who recruited him to toast on the dancehall mix of their single "On and On". He was signed by the Island Records subsidiary Mango Records, and in 1991 released his debut album, DJ of the Future.

Janet Kay Bogle was born in North West London, on 17 January 1958. She was discovered singing impromptu at a rehearsal studio by Tony "Gad" Robinson, the keyboardist from Aswad, who recommended Kay to Alton Ellis. The Jamaican-born Ellis, a successful rocksteady vocalist, had relocated permanently to London, where he continued to be involved with reggae music and was looking for a female vocalist to record a reggae cover of Minnie Riperton's song "Lovin' You". In 1978 Kay recorded "I Do Love You" and "That's What Friends Are For". The single "Silly Games", written and produced by Dennis Bovell, was released in 1979 and became a hit across Europe

At the beginning of his career, Balfour Bailey came to New York . There he was active in 1975 for Sound System New World. For his first record, he chose Get Down on It , a song by Kool %26 The Gang . In the early 1980s, the Jamaican moved to London.The debut album " Jack" was released in 1991. The collaboration with other artists, such as Sly %26 Robbie , Freddie McGregor , Ali Campbell , Mr. President and Big Youth .

The best of the Adrian Boot Bob Marley photo sessions. This archive is now owned and controlled by the Bob Marley family.

A highly underrated lovers rock classic. Bassist George Oban formed “Motion” to explore his own unique musical ideas after leaving the legendary UK reggae group Aswad.