This reggae video is the 12 inch version of the classic Babylon by Johnny Clarke & Jah Shaka is arguably one of the biggest roots reggae tracks of the 1970s. It remains a timeless classic today. Listen for the dub at the end…

Johnny Clarke

Rastafarian reggae musician Johnny Clarke was born in Whitfield Town in Kingston, Jamaica. Babylon is similar to CLarke’s other reggae songs in its depiction of his Rastafari beliefs in nonviolence and legalization of ganja. Clarke’s sound is sometimes referred to as the flying cymbals reggae sound; it immediately preceded the roots rocker sound that became popular via Bob Marley in the mid 70s.

Like Marley, Johnny Clarke had international success and was one of the first Jamaican reggae artistes to sign with Virgin Records’ Frontline label in the 1970s. His Frontline works included Authorized Version and Rockers Time Now. As Clarke began to lose popluarity in his homeland Jamaica he moved to London, England in the 80s, where he worked with top dub music producers including England’s Mad Professor, King Tubby, Errol Thompson, and Prince Jammy. His recent reggae releases includes 1992’s Rasta Nuh Fear and 1997’s Rock With Me.

Johnny Clarke’s other popular songs include Let Go Violence and the popular pot anthem Legalize It.

Jah Shaka

Like Mad Professor, Jah Shaka is an English soundsystem operator, producing roots reggae tracks for decades, in contrasts to the popular 1980s slack dancehall sound. Jah Shaka runs his own record label, producing music for reggae artistes including Max Romeo, Bim Sherman, Prince Alla, Aswad, and Dread & Fred. He has also worked with King Tubby and has released his own dub reggae albums on the Commandments of Dub label.

Jah Shaka’s name mixes his roots: Jah is the Rasta word for God and Shaka is Zulu for warrior. He began his career on the Freddie Cloudburst soundsystem. Jah Shaka’s dedication to Rastafari beliefs at a time when most reggae sounds were becoming pop tunes about physical and material excess has inspired a new generation of English roots reggae artistes and soundsystems, including Eastern Sher, The Disciples, Iration Steppas, Jah Warrior, Conscious Sounds, The Rootsman, and Abashanti-I.

Jah Shaka is also famous for appearing in the Babylon film as himself, where he played a different cut.

Both artists continue to tour locally and globally.

Click on their names to read more information about Johnny Clarke and Jah Shaka. You can also learn more about Jah Shaka on the sound system’s ‘official website.

You can buy the 12 inch here at Dubvendor.co.uk.

Thanks and peace to 2pot.net for posting this one.

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