Although its roots are based in Jamaican culture, reggae music has infiltrated practically all other world cultures, often paving the way for hybrid styles which, despite the diverse influences muscling their way in, still reflect a dominant reggae slant. This Putumayo volume, dedicated to the global reach of reggae, highlights contributions from distant shores, including Brazil, Sudan, Nigeria and even Australia.

The widespread exposure of reggae may largely be attributed to Bob Marley, whose fusion of roots reggae and rock created the hybrid style that broadened the horizon for other Jamaican artists to explore and exploit. Marley, whose name is practically synonymous with reggae, has left a legacy that continues to influence and inspire to this day. In similar fashion to his musical cross-pollination, this album features hybrid sounds that fuse the Jamaican sound with Zulu, Latin, Arab and aboriginal traditions to produce this exciting collection of songs. Some of the highlights on Reggae Around The World include Nigeria’s Majek Fashek, South Africa’s Lucky Dube, Sudan’s Rasha and Jamaica’s very own Burning Spear, who also enjoyed international success back in the 80’s.