We are delighted to welcome author John Masouri and artist Rhoda Dakar to Walthamstow to celebrate publication of Pressure Drop - Reggae in the Seventies.
Pressure Drop chronicles reggae’s most tumultuous and influential decade. Beginning in 1970 and unfolding both in Britain and Jamaica, reggae flourished against a backdrop of political upheaval, gang warfare, Black Nationalism, racial and class discrimination and grinding poverty.
The music that developed as rocksteady and early reggae gave birth to deejays, dub, rockers, lovers rock, early dancehall and 2 Tone was by turns brutal and revelatory.
Including an extensive analysis of the decade’s major singles and albums, Pressure Drop includes eyewitness accounts and experiences of the decade from the likes of Burning Spear, Chris Blackwell, Gregory Isaacs, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru, U-Roy, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Augustus Pablo, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Sly & Robbie, Dennis Bovell, Don Letts and members of the Specials, as well as first-hand anecdotes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
In conversation, book signing, audience questions and DJs tickets here
PHOTO CREDIT - TED BAFALOUKOS
“Drawing from his vast wealth of knowledge and treasure trove of interviews with reggae’s greatest singers, musicians and producers, author John Masouri’s latest book Pressure Drop Reggae in the Seventies takes an in depth, year by year look at what made that decade so significant to reggae’s trajectory while providing invaluable contexts for each major development. Pressure Drop Reggae in the Seventies isn’t just for reggae lovers: it’s a must read for anyone with an interest in the evolution of popular music.” PATRICIA MESCHINO - Rolling Stone/Billboard Magazine
“John is one of reggae’s most respected and seasoned journalists with a profound knowledge of the music and the stars who made it. The 70’s was the most prolific period in Jamaica’s music history which makes this book an essential study for fans of the music worldwide.” DAVID RODIGAN MBE - BBC 1Xtra
“Nailed in great detail, Pressure Drop is a testament to bass - Jamaica’s gift to the world and the culture that came with it.” DON LETTS – Author/Film Director/BBC Radio 6 Music