Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture

The book does an excellent job of showing the history and influences of dancehall music. It is well written and the attention to detail is worth mentioning and the format of the book is appropriate, with breakdowns of each era of dancehall, from what influenced its inception to when it solidified its place as a genre in the 80s. The author was able to describe the sound system culture that dancehall came from and how reggae, ska, and dancehall music grew from sound systems not having American and British records, and how the sound system culture itself grew from radios not playing the music that citizens were interested in. The book also touches on issues of racism and political conflict without being heavy handed. The pictures spread out throughout the book are great, and do an excellent job of breaking up the text, making the book more enjoyable to read. The articles, and interviews about individual artists and studios are really interesting and are scattered throughout the book and add to the overall idea of the book without having to be part of the actual narrative flow. They add details that flow well with the general theme and are well done. The book overall is very informative and is a very good read, and I will probably be picking it up again.

The recipient loved it!

This book offers great insight into a culture that still remains largely a homegrown experience. Try as we might, there just is no way anyone can ever fully recreate the sheer explosiveness and creativity that emerged from one tiny likkle island in the Caribbean so many years ago; but it sure is fun to keep a dance yard-style. Sure the dancehall 'style' has been adopted on many a foreign soil, and spawned a multi-million dollar industry (Hip-Hop anyone?), but ah no anyone can do it like they do ina Jamdown. Nor can one ever hope to see such photos unless they're from Yard, or know someone who lived in JA during the 80's. This book is just large. If you consider yourself a dancehall fan you would do well to get your hands on a copy of this book, fi real. You'll learn a lot.

[...]THE SARTORIALIST Tuesday, January 17, 2012The Reading List... DancehallI love when I find a book that investigates a particular scene or sub-culture. Beth Lesser's Dancehall captures the Jamaican Dancehall culture of the 1980s with the same level of sincerity and curiosity that Brassai exhibited while capturing Paris nightlife in the 1930s.33 commentsPosted in Book Features, Men[...]

Without a doubt one of the most important books published about the history of post independent Jamaican music. Great for the coffee table or the verandah! A copy of this book would be a great educational reference for young Jamaicans especially who have no clue as to that pivotal era in music.The photos capture a wonderful period in Jamaican music. As for the poses you just going to laugh when you see them.How many of us have ever seen photos of artists like Nicodemus, Josie Wales, Yami Bolo, Papa San, Peter Metro, Lone Ranger, Coco Tea, Sister Nancy etc in the prime?Every library in Jamaica should have a copy.Be warned - its a very weighty book!But you will enjoy :-)

Excellent photographs and commentary of the era! It was a birthday present and was well received

Excellent

Muy buen libro fotográfico

Excelente livro, com bastante fotos interessantes. Ponto alto para fotos de cantores que não são valorizados pela mídia o quanto deveria.

qui complète parfaitement la collection de doubles-albums vinyle que j'ai maintenant le plaisir de pouvoir écouter.Parfait pour les amateurs du genre.