What makes Soul Reggae by Beres Hammond notable?

'Soul Reggae' is notable for its critical acclaim, helping to solidify Hammond's place in reggae music history. It paved the way for his subsequent success and influenced future reggae artists, showcasing a distinctive sound that combined traditional reggae rhythms with soulful expressions. Released in 1976, 'Soul Reggae' marked Beres Hammond's debut album, establishing him as a significant voice in the Jamaican reggae scene. Prior to this, he had made waves as a session musician and songwriter but had yet to release his own full-length project.

Who is Soul Reggae for?

Soul Reggae works well if you're into heartfelt melodies for introspection, warm grooves for social gatherings and uplifting vibes for sunny days.

How many songs are on Soul Reggae?

Soul Reggae has 16 tracks, running approximately 67 minutes.

Released 50 years ago

Soul Reggae

Beres Hammond · 1976

67 min · 16 tracks · reggae

A lush blend of soulful melodies and rhythmic grooves, capturing the essence of 1970s reggae with heartfelt storytelling.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Feel Good — This track features an infectious groove and uplifting lyrics that embody the album's overall joyous spirit, making it a standout opener.
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Can't Say I Never Tried — This song showcases Hammond's emotive vocal delivery and lyrical depth, highlighting themes of love and perseverance with a smooth, engaging melody.
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Dark Clouds — With its introspective lyrics and haunting instrumentation, this track captures a more somber tone, contrasting beautifully with the album's lighter moments.
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Talking Africa — This track stands out for its cultural resonance, weaving political commentary into its rhythmic fabric while maintaining an accessible sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

53 /100

Foothills

Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and engaging arrangements but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of lush horn arrangements that complement the soulful vocal melodies throughout.
Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns, engaging the listener and creating a communal feel.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

heartfelt melodies for introspection
warm grooves for social gatherings
uplifting vibes for sunny days
emotional depth in every track
steady pacing for relaxed listening

Maybe skip if you

prefer fast-paced, energetic music
seek brief, standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1976, 'Soul Reggae' marked Beres Hammond's debut album, establishing him as a significant voice in the Jamaican reggae scene. Prior to this, he had made waves as a session musician and songwriter but had yet to release his own full-length project.
Stylistic neighbors: Dennis Brown· Gregory Isaacs· Toots and the Maytals

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I Feel Good 3:42
2 No Goodbye 4:07
3 Picking Up the Pieces 4:28
4 Still Will Be Heaven 3:55
5 Can't Say I Never Tried 4:16
6 Friends? 4:12
7 Give It All You've Got 4:01
8 I'll Live Again 5:53
9 Talking Africa 4:18
10 Dark Clouds 4:06
11 I Surrender 4:28
12 A Place For You 3:55
13 Bring It On 4:05
14 Body & Soul 3:59
15 Cry No More 4:08
16 A Moment in Time 4:07

What to play next

Listen next

Soul Reggae

1976

Full Beres Hammond discography Artists like Beres Hammond

reggae

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata