Various Artists
"Reggae Africa (Roots & Culture 1972-1988)"

On 18th April, 1980, after decades of anti colonial struggle, the Zimbabweian flag was finally raised at midnight at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare. Not long after, the words "Ladies and Gentlemen, Bob Marley and The Wailers!" rang out, and Zimbabwe's independent future began.
In the years that followed, Africa was to produce it's own reggae superstars, as the likes of Alpha Blondy, Majek Fashek and Lucky Dube swept across the continent and beyond, and there's no doubting Bob Marley's explosive impact on this particular narrative.
Marley's unswerving commitment to liberation and unity ranged from the sweeping spiritual sentiments of iconic hits such One Love and Redemption Song to the galvanising, focused tone of 1979's 'Zimbabwe', and his status as global superstar ensured that his (self funded) part in the countries' epochal celebrations meant that the history of reggae in Africa would always be viewed through the prism of his influence ( Wiki/African Reggae : "In 1980, world-famous Jamaican reggae musician Bob Marley performed in Harare, Zimbabwe, and that concert is often credited as marking the beginning of reggae in Africa")
But in fact, the recorded history of reggae produced in Africa stretches back over a decade before Marley's arrival on the continent, and showcases broad pan - diasporic interflows between the Carribean and Africa, with the UK and the US communities playing influential supporting roles, all helping shape the evolution and development of the genre in Africa from late 60's inception to Marley's arrival in 1980, and then well beyond.
Reggae Africa : Roots and Culture, 1972 - 1981 tries to capture a sense of that evolution, starting in 1972 as Mebussa's ultra rare 'Good Bye Friends' effortlessly captures triangular, transatlantic cultural interflows, with the short lived Nigerian group's bitter sweet chords echoing classic US soul, but laid over a gritty, skanking Jimmy Cliff - esque proto reggae rhythm.
Trying to work out the precise provenance of Black Reggae's 'Darling I'm So Proud of You' (1975) isn't easy, but involves Paris based / African focused label Fiesta, some proper OG co-branding exercise with Bols Brandy ( "Bols Brandy presents Black Reggae") - and deeply infectious, lilting Rocksteady.
By 1976, glorious Nigerian sister duo Lijadu Sisters are echoing the chunky roots of a Dennis Brown or U Roy on 'Bobby', and in 1977, bespoke Nigerian drummer Georges Happi is introing 'Hello Friends' with the soon to be universal signature reggae tom roll intro, before veering leftfield with snatches of spoken Afro - English vocal in between the hooky choruses.
Nigerian giant Chrissy Essien's 'I'll Be You Man' (1979) combines floaty Lovers vibes with catchy ska shuffle, and in the same year, Cameroonian afro-funk/disco heavyweight Pasteur Lappe' drifts seamlessly into skanking, Lovers infected reggae on 'Babbette D.O. ( Rastawoman )' (before a sprawling electric guitar solo reminds us how unselfconsiously eclectic so much African music of the era was.)
And finally bookending the compilation, in chronological terms, fellow Cameroonian Tala AM also swaps his funk and soul for the rootsy and infectious 'Hop Sy Trong' (1981), again highlighting the diverse and eclectic approach to this timeless Caribbean musical genre taken by African musicians in the years before that Bob Marley year zero event in Zimbabwe.

1. The Mebusas - Good Bye Friends
Written & Produced by Chike Emegokwe & Harry Udofia James.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1972 Afrodisia
2. Georges Happi - Hello Friends
Written by Deulemkan Georges.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1977 Disques Eddyson
3. Black Reggae - Darling I'm So Proud Of You
Written by B. Bradley.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1975 Fonior
4. Christy Essien - I'll Be Your Man
Written By Christy Essien.
Produced by Pal Akalonu.
Published by Dharma Songs.
(P) 1979 Afrodisia
5. Lijadu Sisters - Bobby
Written by Kehinde Lijadu & Taiwo Lijadu.
Produced by Biddy Wright.
Published by Copyright Control.
(P) 1976 Afrodisia
6. Tala Andre Marie - Hop Sy Trong
Written & Produced by Tala Andre Marie.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1981 Fiesta
7. Essama Bikoula - I'll Cry
Written by Denis Lawluvi.
Published by Editions Esperance
(P) 1978 Sonafric
8. Carlos & Miki - All This Nonsense
Written by Miki Paap.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1980 Afrodisia
9. Pasteur Lappe - Babette D O. (Rastawoman)
Written & Produced by Pasteur Lappe.
Published by Esperance Call Me
(P) 1979 Disques Esperance
10. BG & Fibre - Drunken Driver
Written by Boye Gbenro, Prince Oladele Muhammad Olaseinde & Toks Shotade.
Published by Dharma Songs
(P) 1988 Afrodisia
Audio Restoration by Timmy @ Tiger Bright Studios (www.tigerbright.com)
Mastered by Eugene @ Cromon Tor. Artwork by Rich Elson.
(P) & (C) 2021 Africa Seven