E07: Rasta, Rocksteady and Race: Jamaica in the Early '60s

Hear the full episode here:

In this week's episode Tim and Jeremy turn their attention to the island of Jamaica. They recount a history of Jamaica as a British Colony and the liberation struggles that grew up in the face of Imperial rule, including the work of Marcus Garvey, the Back to Africa movement, and the eventual socialist prime minister Michael Manley. We hear about the emergence of Rastafarianism in the early Twentieth century, considering the importance of Zion or a promised land to the Rastas, their development into an anti-colonial vanguard, and the role of Indian mystical and religious rites on their own spiritual practices.

Jeremy and Tim also introduce us to some major players of the early '60s Jamaican music scene, including the head of Studio One Coxsone Dodd and the founder of Island Records Chris Blackwell. Finally, the pair reflect on how the history of Abolition has been written, how we should seek to remain transparent in the present, and tie these questions of historiography to the BLM protests and toppling of the statue of Edward Colston in Bristol in 2020.

Produced and edited by Matt Huxley.  

Tracklist:
Lord Power & Calypso Quintet - Penny Reel
Andy & Joey - I Want To Know
Delroy Wilson - I Want Justice
Lance Haywood And Ernest Ranglin - Begin The Beguine
Owen Gray and the Caribs - Mash It
Bob Marley - Judge Not
Millie Small - My Boy Lollipop

Books and Films:
Eric Williams - Capitalism and Slavery
Tim Lawrence - Life and Death on the New York Dance Floot, 1980-1983
BBC4  - Roots, Reggae, Rebellion (with Akala)