Recommended bands from Jamaica. Popular overseas bands.
When people think of Jamaica, what everyone imagines is that Latin-tinged reggae groove! But of course, it’s not only the bright and cheerful sounds you might expect.
This time, I’ve gathered a variety—from classic, mainstream tracks to bittersweet, sentimental melodies with a touch of melancholy—so check them out and see just how diverse it can be.
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Recommended bands from Jamaica. Popular overseas bands (21–30)
Let Me InTHE SENSATIONS
The Sensations are bringing a fresh breeze to Japan’s punk rock scene.
Formed in Tokyo in 2008, their music is rooted in punk and ska while incorporating elements of ’60s rock ’n’ roll and soul, creating a distinctive style that’s highly appealing.
Centered around vocalist Osawa 17, the band performs as a five-piece.
Their signature song, “Baby, It’s You,” has captured many fans’ hearts with its catchy melodies and powerful performance.
Their live shows are nothing short of breathtaking—energetic stagecraft has earned them fervent support both at home and abroad.
They’re a must-listen not only for punk rock fans but also for anyone looking to discover something new.
Stranger in TownThe Crystalites
The unsung heroes who supported Jamaica’s reggae scene—that’s The Crystalites.
Led by Derrick Harriott, this studio band began activity in the mid-1960s.
Bringing together renowned session musicians active in Kingston, they played a crucial role during the transition from rocksteady to reggae.
Their signature work, The Undertaker, is an instrumental album released in 1970.
Centered around the organ, it showcases diverse musicality, from Wild West–themed tracks to covers of the Beatles.
It’s a must-listen for those who want to trace the history of Jamaican music or delve deep into the heart of reggae.
Recommended Bands from Jamaica: Popular International Bands (31–40)
Book of RulesThe Heptones
The Heptones had a major impact on Jamaica’s music scene.
They were a rocksteady and reggae vocal trio active from the 1960s through the 1970s.
Playing a key role in the transition from ska to rocksteady and then to reggae, they were known for their distinctive three-part harmonies.
They started in 1965 as “The Hep Ones,” later changing their name to The Heptones.
They debuted with “Fattie Fattie” and produced many hits.
In the early 1970s, “Book of Rules” became a big success.
Based on an American poem, the song showcases the diversity of Jamaican music.
Highly recommended not only for reggae fans, but for anyone who wants to revel in beautiful vocal harmonies.
RINGOThe Skatalites
A band that crosses borders in the world of Jamaican ska, thriving with a large fan base.
They do many covers, including famous movie songs, and this is a cover of diva Hibari Misora’s Ringo Oiwake.
It’s been turned into a wonderful ska number.
The ResultThe Upsetters
The Upsetters, a band that played a crucial role in the development of Jamaican reggae music.
Formed in 1968 and led by producer Lee “Scratch” Perry, they collaborated with numerous musicians.
Their music spans a wide range of genres—not only reggae but also dub and ska—and produced UK hits such as “Man from M.I.5” and “Return of Django.” Notably, they collaborated with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, releasing many classic tracks together.
From 1974 onward, they established a distinctive sound that incorporated psychedelic elements.
They’re a recommended band not only for reggae fans but also for anyone who wants to explore a variety of musical styles.
Do The ReggaeToots & The Maytals
Toots and the Maytals, formed in Jamaica in the early 1960s, are known as pioneers of ska and reggae, and their distinctive sound is loved around the world.
They are also famous for being the first to use the term “reggae” as a music genre in a song released in 1968.
They won a Grammy Award in 2005, and in 2012 their leader, Toots Hibbert, received the Order of Jamaica from the Jamaican government, among many other honors.
Their albums Funky Kingston and Reggae Got Soul are regarded as classics, and their music continues to be loved across generations.
Highly recommended if you want to feel upbeat and positive!
WorriesSagittarius Band
A track that incorporates synth sounds and seems connected to the ideas that would later develop into dancehall reggae.
With a minimal structure, it’s crafted to be very easy to dance to.
Since it’s a genre built on the premise of dancing, this kind of evolution may have been inevitable.