Today we are reading Reggae Bloodlines: In Search of the music and culture of Jamaica by Peter Simon and Stephen Davis:

Reggae Bloodlines traces the history of this cool groove; from its discovery by the tie-dye clad time wasters of Manhattan’s East Village to its golden age as the music staple in the camembert white dorm rooms of Harvard University.

The book focusses on the important influence that these white, baked, soon-to-be investment bankers had on the freedom movement known as reggae music. Simon and Davis conclude that without reggae, the power within these upper-middle class stoners would never have been found, leaving the world a sadder place for their lack of influence. In short:

Thank Jah, no-one actually thinks this would be a good idea. Reggae Bloodlines is actually a well constructed history of reaggae in Jamaica. Written by the highly regarded music journalist Stephen Davis with some great photos by Peter Simon, the book takes the reader on a journey through Jamaica and the history of reggae; from its roots in soul to its social reflections based on the misery of many Jamaicans living in third world poverty.

The book is an interesting read, unplifting in the way it shows music bringing power to people; depressing in how it highlights how little personal power matters without an army at your back, check it out here.