Terra Incognita's Reggae Top List 2011

I know that  it's often difficult and sometimes useless to make a reasonable and objective list of "the best of" something, nonetheless I try to list the Terra Incognita's Best Reggae Albums of 2011. Please consider it just a suggestion  and let me know your own choice if you like and/or have one...
Here is the list in complete casual order :

Stephen Marley /  "Revelation pt. 1: The Root of Life"

A great, inspired roots reggae album by Bob's talented son Stephen, probably my preferred one among his heirs...If you loved Bob and like the genre, don't miss it and you'll not be disappointed...Great songs and great sound...

The Twinkle Brothers / "Gift of Jah"

 The Twinkle Brothers, a great historical (and in some way underrated) reggae band with an incredibly long career. If you like the most mystical roots reggae, get their fascinating latest album Gift of Jah, then spark a good one, put your headphones on and go....

African Head Charge  /  "Voodoo of the Godsent"

After 6 years from Visions of a Psychedelic Africa (2005), the visionary Bonjo Iyabinghi Noah has once again gathered together long time mates of the On-U label to give birth to another milestone along African Head Charge's long career (this incredible psychedelic dub band is active since the early 1980s.)

Surely not everyone's cup of tea, African Head Charge's psychotropic music will delight the palate of the people who enjoy hypnotic, mind-moving electronic/dub sounds and riddims, at the same time 'ethnic'/'roots' and '(post) modern'. ..

Lee 'Scratch' Perry  /  "Rise Again"

Lee 'Scratch' Perry is a reggae/dub legend indeed...At 75 he keeps on making great albums (sometimes with contributions by old friends like Keith Richards...) and concerts, like living an exciting second youth. Universally recognized as the king and  true inventor of dub style, The Upsetter (another of his several nicknames...) could be also probably considered the 'Frank Zappa of reggae music' for his absolute musical genius and crazy creativity. Last of an incredibly long and prolific discography, Rise Again will once again capture the minds and souls of old and new fans...

Bob Marley & The Wailers  /  "Live Forever"

Recorded more than 30 years ago (Sept. 23, 1980) at the Stanley Theatre in Pittsburgh (USA) during Bob Marley's  world tour in support of the new album Uprising, Live Forever is Bob's last live concert  occurred just few days after Bob's collapse in Central Park, N.Y.  The double CD (and 3 LP) contains many of Bob's unforgettable classics like Burnin' and Lootin', Crazy Baldhead, Natural Mystic, Exodus and Zion Train. Being not only the usual great live performance but also a historical document, it's a must in any good reggae collection that deserves its name..

Peter Tosh  /  "Equal Rights - Deluxe Legacy Edition"

 

This double CD contains the first two Peter Tosh's solo albums Equal Rights and Legalize it. It's packed with extended and alternate versions, dub plates and previously unreleased bonus. If you liked classics like Why Must I Cry, No Symphaty or Burial, besides the eternal anthems Legalize It and Equal Rights, this edition will warm up your heart (and body and soul...)

Alborosie  /  "2 Times Revolution"

The Italian  Alborosie (who resides in JA since 2001) has slowly gained a wide international acknowledgement and JA musicians' total respect thanks to his unconditionated love for reggae music and many really well crafted roots songs. His previous album Escape from Babylon (2010) had really excited many and this new 2 Times Revolution will not disappoint his growing fans even though it's maybe just a little less perfect. But don't get me wrong, it contains many good songs and absolutely deserves your full attention...

Luciano  /  "Rub-a-Dub Market"

Without doubt Luciano is a stellar presence in the present international reggae scene. Active since early 1990s he has a really plentiful musical production of above average albums under his belt. Luciano's silk voice, roots sound and conscious texts keep on delighting multitudes of reggae fans around the world. Even though Rub-a-Dub Market isn't probably his best album ever, it contains at least 5 or 6 hits to add to his precious case of great reggae tunes...

Earl 16  /  "Fittest of the Fittests"

Another old lion of reggae music well known by all true reggae aficionados, Earl 16 has realized a truly remarkable roots comeback with The Fittest, a surprisingly fresh new album packed with absolutely convincing tunes (and dub versions), supported by a compact roots sound and fine arrangements. Surely it's one of the best roots reggae albums of 2011 !