Reggae Chillout

If you're looking for a stack of sun-kissed Essentials that effortlessly breach the gap between city streets and beach, our Reggae Chillout selection is a must. Drawn from the archives of dub, roots reggae and homegrown lovers rock, these tracks will slow your heartbeat to a gentle crawl, and lighten the weight on your soul. Kick off with the king of Jamaican good vibes, Bob Marley, who opened up the very mellow Exodus (recorded in London, 1977) with "Natural Mystic", then spend some quality time with Augustus Pablo and his melodica ("East of the River Nile") and chill with Johnny Nash ("Guava Jelly", penned by Marley).

In your own time (no rush, of course) float on over to Next Steps.

A peerless gathering of legendary reggae artists . . . and some of the finest tracks ever etched onto tropical wax: it's the perfect recipe for a chillout, whether you're relaxing in the city or kicking back in the shadows of a sun-dappled palm tree. One of the sweetest after-midnight voices in lovers rock belongs to Susan Cadogan, who adds a touch of Caribbean exotica to her cover of "Fever", Horace Andy breezes through "Feel Good All Over" like he hasn't got a care in the world, while Freddy McGregor, one of the most soulful singers in the reggae universe, transforms melancholy into molasses with "Sugar Baby".

Drift, like slowly exhaled smoke, to Deep Cuts.

Never underestimate the therapeutic power of a fat Jamaican bass, especially when it's lifted from the depths of a mix and allowed free range, front and centre. Dub production legend King Tubby (born Osbourne Ruddock) is a master of echo and reverb — one of his signature sounds appears to capture the moment a bass note drops into a bucket of water, and it can be heard to maximum chillout effect on "Sky Ride", a collaboration with Morwell Unlimited featuring guitarist Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont. Winston Groovy lives up to his splendid name with "So Easy", and Watty Burnett, a session regular for Lee "Scratch" Perry, transforms "Rainy Night in Georgia" into the supremely mellow "Rainy Night in Portland".

These sounds have the power to relieve tension faster than a Swedish deep-tissue massage, whether you set them floating over sun-bleached sands or echoing along urban alleyways. Welcome to the spirit-soothing universe of Reggae Chillout, where your hosts include dub maestros Lee "Scratch" Perry and King Tubby, lovers rock superstars Freddie McGregor and Barry Biggs, roots legends Johnny Clarke and Horace Andy . . . and — of course — Bob Marley. The deeper you delve, the sweeter the chill: Sugar Minott gives "International Herb" (his tale of cop-dodging and weed-dealing) an air of unfazed insouciance, Junior Murvin floats serenely above the vicious circle of crime and punishment with "Police & Thieves" and Burning Spear (Winston Rodney) keeps the vibe rooted with "Marcus Say Jah No Dead".