Reggae Vibes – Books

Over the past years, we’ve poured our passion for reggae culture into four books that celebrate the music, the artists, and the stories behind it all. From Jamaican covers and Studio One foundations to decades of dub history and the unforgettable moments of Reggae Geel — each book reflects the work we’ve done at Reggae Vibes and the love we have for the music.
All four titles are available through Amazon.

⭐ Add this dub heavyweight to your collection

Book Of Dub – From Kingston to the World

Kingston’s vibrant ghetto life gave birth to a sound that shook the world. Out of small studios, zinc-fence yards, and late-night experiments came the genius of King Tubby, Scientist, Prince Jammy, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and countless unsung engineers who transformed reggae into a new dimension: dub.

This 399-page heavyweight chronicles five decades of Jamaican and Outernational dub, from 1972 to 2024. It’s built for the reggae community—selectors, collectors, soundmen, musicians, and fans who want the real story behind the echo chambers, the mixing boards, and the innovators who shaped the music.

Inside you’ll find in-depth reviews, rare insights, and first-hand accounts from the people who lived it.
Interviews include legends such as Soljie, Winston Jarrett, Johnny Clarke, and Bunny “Striker” Lee, each sharing memories, techniques, and truths straight from the source.

You’ll also dive into detailed articles on giants like Niney The Observer, King Tubby, and Prince Jammy, exploring how their creativity and technical brilliance pushed reggae into uncharted territory.

Around 250 album reviews spanning Jamaican and international dub
QR codes for instant listening, Discogs info and purchasing
Extensive articles & interviews with key figures from the dub universe
A wealth of photos capturing studios, artists, gear, and moments in time

This is not just a book—it’s a dub archive, a cultural document, and a tribute to the engineers, producers, and artists who turned reggae inside out and rebuilt it with echo, space, and imagination.

⭐ Explore this collector’s guide

Reggae Got Soul – Jamaican Covers & Their Originals

This book is a 180-page collector’s guide exploring around 170 Jamaican cover versions and the original songs that inspired them. This book traces the musical exchange between Jamaica and the United States, showing how Black American music helped shape ska, rocksteady, reggae, and early dancehall.

The book highlights both famous and lesser-known performers. You’ll find covers by Alton Ellis, Bob Andy, The Heptones, Slim Smith, Pat Kelly, Sugar Minott, Shinehead, The Techniques, The Wailers, Winston Francis, Delroy Wilson, Derrick Harriott, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, and many more.
But it also shines a light on obscure gems from artists like Desi Young, Jackie & Millie, Muskyteers, Shirley Kay, The Creations, and The Enchanters — names cherished by collectors and deep-diggers.

Alongside the cover-to-original comparisons, the book includes a wealth of photos, label visuals, artist images, and sleeve art that bring the era to life. It’s a celebration of creativity, influence, and the deep musical dialogue between Jamaica and the US.

170+ Jamaican cover versions and their original recordings
Historical context on how US soul and r&b shaped Jamaican music
Photos and visual material documenting artists, labels, and releases
Famous and obscure performers from Jamaica’s rich musical landscape

Published by Reggae Vibes Productions, this book is essential reading for reggae lovers, selectors, collectors, and anyone who wants to understand how Jamaican artists reimagined Black American music and made it their own.

⭐ Get this Studio One history book

Studio One Files – A Collection of Reviews, Articles and More

From Brentford Road came a sound that shaped generations. Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One wasn’t just a label or a studio — it was the heartbeat of Jamaican music, the training ground for legends, and the foundation on which ska, rocksteady, roots reggae, and early dancehall were built.

The Reggae Vibes Studio One Files is a 270+ page collector’s volume packed with album reviews, artist biographies, interviews, photos, and historical context. Created for those who want to understand why Studio One remains the most influential institution in Jamaican popular music.

Featuring iconic artists such as Alton Ellis, The Wailers, Bob Andy, Jackie Mittoo, Dennis Brown, Horace Andy, Johnny Osbourne, Lone Ranger, Dillinger, Don Drummond, The Skatalites, Burning Spear, The Heptones, and The Gladiators, this book shines a bright light on the foundation.

Inside you’ll find biographies of giants like Tommy McCook, Bob Andy, Alton Ellis, Burning Spear, and John Holt, plus interviews with key figures including Larry Marshall, Jackie Mittoo, and Sugar Minott.

Check the Riddim Identification section, featuring riddims such as Get In The Groove, Never Let Go, Hot Milk, Swing Easy, Pick Up The Pieces, and One Step Beyond. Essential knowledge for the reggae massive.

Hundreds of album reviews spanning ska, rocksteady, roots & early dancehall
Artist biographies of Studio One’s most influential voices
Exclusive interviews with foundational artists and musicians
Riddim Identification for key Studio One rhythms
A wealth of photos capturing artists, studios, and historic moments

QR codes for instant listening and exploring the music

⭐ Relive Reggae Geel — get the book

Memories of Reggae Geel – 1998-2020

For more than two decades, Reggae Geel has remained one of Europe’s most respected and beloved reggae festivals, a true meeting ground for roots lovers, sound system crews, artists, and fans from all corners of the globe.

Memories of Reggae Geel 1998–2020 is a 210-page visual and historical celebration of this iconic event. The book brings together detailed descriptions of each festival edition, originally published on the Reggae Vibes website, enriched with exclusive interviews and a large collection of photos, including many never-before-published images.

Alongside the festival reports, you’ll find original Reggae Geel posters, showcasing how the festival’s identity evolved over the years. The book also features interviews with artists who helped shape the event’s legacy, including Richie Spice, Prezident Brown, Ginjah, and Etana — offering personal reflections, backstage stories, and insights into their time at Geel.