Tighten Up: The History of Reggae in the UK

by Michael de Koningh, Marc Griffiths

With the influx of young Jamaicans into post-war Britain, the sounds that were so much a part of the West Indian culture they left behind found new, fertile soil in the UK music scene. Over the following decades, home-grown names like Delroy Washington, Matumbi and Lloyd Coxson took the baton from their Jamaican brother, not to create a picture of Jamaica away from Jamaica but to forge a brave new reggae world in their adopted heartland.
But who were the singers and players on British-recorded material? Who set up the UK's fledgling reggae labels? Who ran the shops that put the music back on the streets? With a cast of characters since made legendary by their contribution to the UK reggae scene, Tighten Up! is the story of how the authentic Jamaican vibe found a new home, becoming a vital chapter in Britain's cultural history, an integral part of its sonic architecture.
Complete with interviews, a comprehensive Pama discography, an exhaustive directory of UK reggae labels and an exclusive 12-track CD, Tighten Up ! is the ultimate companion to UK reggae from 1960 to 1980.

Genres: Music

376 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Reggae in the UK, but in some very important ways it is about what happens when empire comes home. Very interesting stuff!