Gregory Isaacs

One of Jamaica's true living legends, Gregory Isaacs spent the better part of four decades breaking new ground in roots reggae, lovers rock, and dancehall. Reliable estimates approximate his output at over the 500 mark — not singles. . .albums — a figure that makes the tag prolific seem barely adequate. Start with "Night Nurse" . . .

. . . and then move on to Next Steps for more from the master.

"My Only Lover," from 1973, was Gregory Isaacs' big breakthrough, the product of his record store/label collaboration (African Museum) with Errol Dunkley. Over the next three years, Isaacs produced a deluge of hits and albums: "Love Is Overdue" appears on In Person (1975), which arrived at a time when Isaacs was starting to show his versatility.

Isaacs' versatility is on full display in our Deep Cuts.

Most reggae fans identify Gregory Isaacs with smooth-groovin' lovers rock, but it would be remiss to overlook his contributions to dub. Consider Gregory Isaacs in Dub: Dub a de Number One, produced by Alvin Ranglin and featuring Sly & Robbie. Check out the precision and timing on "Equal Share" and that telephone ring on the title track.

Over the years, Gregory Isaacs released so much material it's hard to know where to begin, which makes our selection of his killer tracks the perfect key to unlocking his legend. Isaacs represented a one-man Jamaican timeline from roots to dancehall, and his reggae family tree has branches extending to practically every significant producer and session musician, from the Roots Radics to Prince Jammy, King Tubby, Niney Holness, and Gussie Clarke.