AllMusic 2015 Year in Review

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Favorite Reggae Albums

Archival releases from Bob Marley, Yabby You and Peter Tosh offered a treasure trove for fans of classic reggae in 2015, while long-running 2-Tone band the Selecter dropped some ska in the mix and Gov't Mule delivered a live set featuring the legendary Toots Hibbert.

Innerstand

Beam Up

Innerstand

The Aussie reggae project dedicates an album to King Tubby and captures the legendary dub producer's love of groove.

Easy Skanking in Boston '78

Bob Marley / Bob Marley & the Wailers

Easy Skanking in Boston '78

The Universal Music Group's archival Marley series kicks off with this excellent live release.

A Simple Act of Faith

Cymande

A Simple Act of Faith

First album in 41 years from the UK R&B/jazz/reggae group's original lineup is laid back but committed and full of great playing.

Visionary

Farruko

Visionary

The rapper, producer, and songwriter combines new styles, beats, and sonic approaches in his futuristic brand of reggaeton.

Dub Side of the Mule [2015]

Gov't Mule

Dub Side of the Mule [2015]

This punky New Year's Eve reggae party was recorded at the Beacon Theater in 2006 with legend Toots Hibbert fronting the band.

Hotting Up

Iration

Hotting Up

The rock-reggae crew grow into a more diverse act on this well-done fourth LP.

The Cure

Jah Cure

The Cure

The veteran reggae singer offers a rich and varied effort, including a cover of John Legend's "All of Me."

Maestro

Ky-Mani Marley

Maestro

The Marley son sounds wiser and stronger on this excellent and varied effort.

Peace Is the Mission

Major Lazer

Peace Is the Mission

Diplo's wild project offers a surprising and slow effort where the highlights are primarily ballads.

Strictly Roots

Morgan Heritage

Strictly Roots

The aptly titled effort finds the band returning to a deeper, more traditional sound.

Me 4 U

OMI

Me 4 U

The Jamaican singer surrounds his "Cheerleader" hit with pleasing smooth reggae and light soca songs.

An Upsetters Showcase

Peter Tosh

An Upsetters Showcase

Multifaceted compilation focusing on early collaborations between legendary reggae songwriter and Lee Perry's unstoppable studio band.

What Dreams Are Made Of

R. City

What Dreams Are Made Of

The reggae-pop duo is joined by Akon, Tarrus Riley, and Adam Levine on this excellent effort.

Sings the Bodysnatchers

Rhoda Dakar

Sings the Bodysnatchers

Members of the Specials and Madness join the former Bodysnatchers vocalist in this loving tribute to the short-lived ska band.

Soul Riot

The Lions

Soul Riot

Uptempo doesn't mean unaware as the West Coast reggae group blends positivity and politics on this excellent album.

Subculture

The Selecter

Subculture

Pauline Black and "Gaps" Hendrickson front this edition of the noted ska band on an album steeped in classic Jamaican sounds.

Sherwood at the Controls, Vol. 1: 1979-1984

Various Artists

Sherwood at the Controls, Vol. 1: 1979-1984

This fertile, essential comp picks not only rare tracks issued by On U, but includes productions for artists on other labels as well.

Nanna

Xavier Rudd / Xavier Rudd & the United Nations

Nanna

With an international nonet, the Australian songwriter deals out a killer mix of Aboriginal reggae, mixed by Errol Brown.

Dread Prophecy: The Strange and Wonderful Story of Yabby You

Yabby You

Dread Prophecy: The Strange and Wonderful Story of Yabby You

The obscure roots reggae vocalist and producer is compiled on three discs, two filled with classic material and one with unreleased treasures.