Reggae Germany Downtown

2004 . CD sampler . echo beach

Just in time for its ten year anniversary festivities ECHO BEACH releases in early 2004 what will definitely come to be known as a milestone. "Yeah, right, another one of those reggae compilations" I hear the weary consumer sigh, but not so! You have indeed been waiting for this one, as it represents the finest in contemporary Germany reggae without forgetting for one moment its historic dimension. All the usual suspects set the yardstick and quite a few ambitious newcomers are happy to join the party. As a statistical aside: About five tracks (Jan Delay, Freundeskreis, Gentlemen, Fettes Brot, FK Allstars) from this release had made their way into the German Top 100 in their previous single incarnations and half of the artists on this compilation made it to the German Top 100 album charts!

Reggae Germany Downtown has been compiled primarily with the listener's enjoyment in mind - which is precisely what reggae is all about; however, we also wanted to draw attention to the political agenda that has been and still is an integral part of reggae music, a fact that these days is sometimes forgotten.

Reggae Germany definitely plays in the international league, with stars of worldwide acclaim such as Sly & Robbie, Sizzla, Junior Reid, Tanya Stephens and Dillinger all being featured on Reggae Germany Downtown. Befor we forget it, "downtown" is used as a metaphor for contemporary reggae, even though the dancehall aspect has clearly, and by the way quite deliberately, not been given much room here. Which is a bit to do with the political and sociocritical aspects of our compilation....

Dubblestandart vs. Sly & Robbie is featured with the track Heavy Heavy Monster Dub.