Reggae is a music that I have a strong passion for (hence the Burning Sounds avatar) although I probably listen to as much jazz as reggae these days.
I hosted a weekly reggae radio show in the early 80s in So. Cal - Freedom Sounds on KUOR 89.1FM at the University of Redlands. Freedom Sounds was the title of an early Ras Michael and the Sons of Negus album, which features some great nyabinghi drumming. I also interviewed Ras Michael and saw him at a benefit concert at the Africa School in LA. I remember standing in the school playground and being struck by the sheer attack and power of unamplified drumming. Carly Barrett, the Wailers' drummer played a style known as "one-drop" which I think is derived from nyabinghi drumming.
I also interviewed Joe Higgs, now considered the godfather of reggae and mentor of the Wailers. Whilst working in Kingston I visited 56 Hope Road (now the Bob Marley museum) and had the good fortune to sit and talk to Georgie - he who kept the fire burning in No Woman, No Cry. He was a regular fixture during the early Wailers rehearsal sessions with Joe Higgs. Georgie had mental health problems and Bob Marley had made provision for him to live at the back of 56 Hope Road.
I have a big collection of reggae, mostly from the golden era of the 70s and mostly on vinyl.
"One good thing about (reggae) music - when it hits you feel no pain".