RAG MusicWorld Music
Music of a wonderful world

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.

Recommended Bands from Jamaica: Popular International Bands (31–40)

Book of RulesThe Heptones

The Heptones – Book of Rules (extended)
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 The Result アップセッターズ
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.