Did you listen to the blues songs that I introduced in the Art & Culture section of the 147th issue? I hope that those songs were able to kick your blues away.

This time, I am introducing some Reggae music that can make you feel cool and comfortable. Reggae originated in Jamaica. It is not only a genre of music but also a kind of rhythm. Reggae started with ska and rocksteady and is influenced by other songs. The character of Reggae is off-beat, and it is played in four-four time.

Reggae music is about love, peace, justice, human rights, equality, freedom and religion. This is because Reggae is related to the memory of struggle that the Jamaican people, who were oppressed by England’s colonial rule, had while protesting for independence. And also, Reggae was influenced by Rastafarianism, a newer religion, which promotes Black liberation.

Reggae has been influenced by national tragedy and religious spirit. Some people say that the rhythm of Reggae is based on the sound of a human heart beat. Could this possibly be the reason why we feel comforted by Reggae music when we listen to it?

So, I will recommend some Reggae songs to you. First of all, you need to listen to No Woman No Cry sung by Bob Marley. He is the artist who made Reggae music popular all around the world by releasing the song.

Here are more songs.
●Bob Marley - Brand New Second Hand
●Bob Marley - One Love
●UB40 - Red Red Wine