Rub-a-dub Style is being offered as a free download as an appreciation of Jamaica- its people and its culture, for the 2012 celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence. In addition, Beth’s photographs continue to appear on LP and CD covers around the world, as well as in books, magazines, and films. Beth Lesser has previously written three books on reggae : King Jammys, ECW Press, Toronto, Canada, 2002 Dance Hall: The Rise of Dance Hall Culture, Soul Jazz, UK, 2008 The Legend of Sugar Minott, Muzik Tree, UK, 2011. Many of the artists passing through the city appeared for both interviews and live dancehall sessions on the air. David was also the host of the award-winning program, Reggae Showcase, on CKLN, Toronto, from 1982 to 1992. ‘culture’, the emergence of female dancehall artists, the development of the sing-jay style and the domination of the market by deejays.ĭuring the 1980’s, Beth and her husband, David Kingston, published Reggae Quarterly magazine. Rub-a-Dub Style covers this innovative period in Jamaican music that saw the introduction of pre-programmed instruments, the rise of sound system ‘specials’, the battle of ‘slackness’ v. This is the story of the 80’s as told through the eyes of the participants - the artists, musicians, producers, distributors, sound owners, radio jocks, engineers and fans. Lesser fills in the gap between the passing of Marley in 1981 and the dancehall explosion in the early 90's, leading the reader through ten years of changes that brought dancehall music from the ghetto to international acclaim. Yet, it was this period of creativity and growth that not only set the stage for everything that is happening in reggae music today, but played a significant role in influencing hip-hop and rap music. Despite the vibrant scene that was emerging in Jamaica, the 80’s has remained an obscure, often neglected period in the examination of reggae’s development.

Rub-a-Dub Style: The Roots of Modern Dancehall, Beth Lesser’s latest book, covers the emergence of this “Dancehall” music in Jamaica in the 1980’s. Dancehall- based and inspired music was moving to the forefront, leaving roots and rockers behind. With the release of their 1979 hit 45, Rub-a-Dub Style, deejays Smiley and Michigan announced to the world that reggae music was undergoing a major change.

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