Various Artists - Rebel Island Soul: Under the Influence: Reggae, Funk & Soul in Jamaica in the 1970s

Soul Jazz Records present Reggae Island Soul, a deep dive into the rich exchange between American soul and 1970s reggae. Across sixteen cuts, Jamaican greats including John Holt, Lee Perry, Cornel Campbell, The Cimarons and The Chosen Few recast songs made famous by The Jackson 5, William DeVaughn, Diana Ross and The Supremes, War, The Temptations, Roberta Flack and The Stylistics.
Soul Jazz Records present Reggae Island Soul, a deep dive into the rich exchange between American soul and 1970s reggae. Across sixteen cuts, Jamaican greats including John Holt, Lee Perry, Cornel Campbell, The Cimarons and The Chosen Few recast songs made famous by The Jackson 5, William DeVaughn, Diana Ross and The Supremes, War, The Temptations, Roberta Flack and The Stylistics.

The influence of US Black music on Jamaica is well known: from ska’s reworking of southern R&B to rocksteady’s debt to sweet soul harmonies. But the story didn’t end there. In the 1970s, as roots reggae travelled the world, Jamaican artists remained deeply tuned in to the evolving sounds of Motown, Philadelphia International and Stax. Soul, funk and early disco filtered into Kingston studios, reshaped through bass-heavy rhythms and island groove.

The connection resonated beyond Jamaica. In Britain, Caribbean communities raised on both soul and reggae helped foster lovers rock and a distinct cross-cultural sound. Reggae Island Soul captures that shared musical conversation – a seamless blend of Jamaica, the USA and the UK, united on the dancefloor.
The influence of US Black music on Jamaica is well known: from ska’s reworking of southern R&B to rocksteady’s debt to sweet soul harmonies. But the story didn’t end there. In the 1970s, as roots reggae travelled the world, Jamaican artists remained deeply tuned in to the evolving sounds of Motown, Philadelphia International and Stax. Soul, funk and early disco filtered into Kingston studios, reshaped through bass-heavy rhythms and island groove.

The connection resonated beyond Jamaica. In Britain, Caribbean communities raised on both soul and reggae helped foster lovers rock and a distinct cross-cultural sound. Reggae Island Soul captures that shared musical conversation – a seamless blend of Jamaica, the USA and the UK, united on the dancefloor.