Digital
A term used to describe reggae music from the mid-80s onwards, when computer-generated music took over. The first example of this type of music (although, notably, Lee Perry, Augustus Pablo and Sly And Robbie, among others, had all previously experimented with drum machines) was released by Prince (later King) Jammy by Wayne Smith, utilizing a Casio "music box". The resulting "Under Me Sleng Teng' spawned over 200 different versions during the next couple of months and the computer became ubiquitous. Jammys was at the forefront of this musical revolution and former employees, producer Bobby Digital and musicians Steely And Clevie, went on to become top names in their own right. Jammys" former employer King Tubby also proved adept at this music and many more famous names from reggae's illustrious past soon allied themselves to the new beat. Once again, the music was opened up to all sorts of newcomers and possibilities as expensive studio time and costly session musicians were no longer a prerequisite for making records. As with all new forms, it has had its share of detractors, but digital reggae has proved incredibly successful, and has become one of the most popular styles of the music outside of its immediate audience since the late 60s/early 70s.
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Top Tracks
- Space Funk
- Metro
- Down Under
- Far Out
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