Through sheer force of its personality, reggae music has conquered the world and rocked successive generations - all on its own terms. Jamaican music was, and remains truly an urban folk music. In its purest form it is entirely an oral experience: unlicensed, uncopyrighted, uncensored and even to this day untamed. It chronicles the highs and lows of the day-to-day existence of Jamaican sufferahs. Although reggae came from the streets of Kingston, it remained on the streets wherever it roamed, London, Birmingham or New York. Allied to this was the fierce competition between the many small recording studios and some bizarre marketing tactics. Comprehensive and generously illustrated this book offers a unique history of reggae.