Bunny Lee – Jamaican Rockers (1975-1979)

This reggae compilation was put together by Jamaican drummer Sly Dunbar, who, along with bassist Robbie Shakespeare, formed the Riddim Twins and has been involved in an immeasurable number of releases with them since the 1970s. Conservative estimates put the number at 40,000 recordings!

In 1975, Sly & Robbie formed the rhythm section of the star-studded group The Revolutionaries, which primarily served as the house band for Channel One. At that time, Bunny Lee’s studio—along with Joe Gibbs’s—was considered one of Kingston’s hit factories. This was due in no small part to the Rockers beat perfected by Sly & Robbie, which replaced the previously dominant one-drop style. In the Rocker—also known as the Stepper—double hits on the open snare play a dominant role.

After the Riddim Twins scored an international hit with “Walk And Don’t Look Back” for Mick Jagger and Peter Tosh, many reggae artists began to emulate this more mechanical, military-style beat. “Jamaican Rockers 1975–1979” features songs by Cornell Campbell, Dennis Brown, Johnny Clarke, I Roy, Ben Sherman, Leroy Smart, and others, all recorded at Bunny Lee’s studio using the inimitable Rockers beat.