King Jammy's
A window into the life and work of a champion producer and soundsystem boss, King Jammy’s offers an intimate look at one of the most important figures in the history of “urban” music—the man credited with saving reggae by injecting it with new life through the development of “digital” rhythms.

While the dominant sound that defined international reggae during the 1970s had been primarily associated with ganja, Rastafari, and Bob Marley-style roots riddims, the music coming out of Jamaica’s toughest ghettoes at the dawn of the 1980s had more in common with American rap than roots reggae. Ghetto-based soundsystems — involving powerful homemade sound equipment, stacks of vinyl, and full deejay crews —rocked local dancehalls and gave birth to a new golden age of Jamaican music. The 1980s was the age of dancehall and Lloyd “Jammy” James was King.

In this reissue of the classic book first published in 1989 by Finland’s Blackstar Press, Beth Lesser takes a detailed look at the musical history of one man, the legendary King Jammy, and intertwines his unique story with a portrait of the times in which he lived and worked. The book also includes reprints of interviews originally published in Lesser’s seminal magazine, Reggae Quarterly. Dozens of Lesser’s rare photographs have been integrated into a new design by Martina Keller of Intro, the firm responsible for the achingly beautiful sleeves of Blood and Fire Record’s releases. As Reggae legend Dennis Alcapone has said about King Jammy’s, it’s “a musical education and great inspiration to all reggae lovers.”

Buying King Jammy's
To incquire the book the total cost is (including taxes and postage);
Canada: CAN$ 15
USA: US$15
Europe:US $20

Reggae Quarterly
The first issue of this classic magazine was released in 1981 and during the seven coming years seven further issues were released. The articles offer crucial insight to what was bubbling in JA at the time. Numerous of Beth's fantastic pictures are of course also included.

Buying RQ
All issues of Reggae Quarterly except #4 are for sale. Look beneath for the more information on the costs;
Canada: The postal rates vary by postal code so you will have to give me the postal code and I can calculate the rates and get back to you.

USA: The total for 7 issues would be $69. For $79 all 7 issues plus the book.

Europe: For all 7 available issues of RQ would be a total of $80 (the postage is about $27).
For all 7 issues plus the book it would be $90.

Rates for orders of fewer than 7 magazines vary by region. Please write for a price quote.

The easiest way to pay is with Paypal if you have an account (the address is bethkingston@rogers.com) otherwise a check (any currency) or money order is fine.