Customer Reviews

Stir It Up!

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I can only concur with the previous reviewer. A cultural history of reggae album covers would be a wonderful idea, but this one is not it unfortunately. The text is patronising and only serves to further exoticise Jamaican artists, the choice of sleeves displays a fondness for lions but very little knowledge of the subject. Nothing on Studio One silk screen covers, no mention of Orville 'Bagga' Case, no discussion of the 'Zippo' lighter sleeve to Catch A Fire... I could go on and on, as Buju Banton would say.

Here's a rich topic to investigate! But the treatment here is sketchy and only skims on the surface. A sociologist or cultural anthropologist who knows the terrain should have a good go at the whole idea.

This slim package tries to makes reggae biz'ness seem more important than the deep spirit behind the music. Empty reasonings, dumb view.

Purveyors of slapped-together pseudobooks have discovered the reggae market. So now we're getting products like this one, which feature a minor amount of disposable text and reproductions of assorted reggae records. Some are worth a short glance, most are not. Just as happened with heavy metal and teen pop, there are those who think reggae fans will buy anything with the word 'reggae' stuck on it. But this thing signals a new low has been found. Bah, Babylon!

Let us be true. Most reggae album covers specialize in exploiting and demeaning the women of the Caribbean, with their wine and grind, ca'an dun, punanny, baggy and boops attitudes. That's how it really goes when it comes time to push all the tunes! There is a true book to be written about how reggae's sisters and lionesses have been mistreated, and this silly and insulting object is not it.

A shaky premise, with poor execution. Easier to browse through your own record collection.

Without a doubt, the most fascinating and entertaining of the "album cover" books out there. It even manages to surpass the genre's benchmark (The Blue Note book) in some areas: Marrow's text expertly highlights and complements the hundreds of fantastic album covers throughout the book: adding insight, history and context to the sleeves. The book is nicely divided into sections and contains a bountiful appendix illuminating many paths the reggae novice can explore or perhaps just holes in the collection for the reggae connoesseur, whether it be books, magazines or music. Some of the book's design choices seem capricious and erratic at times but so is the artwork it chronicles. All in all this book can stand tall with any of the benchmarks of reggae's rich culture (many of which are detailed in the book).

What a brilliant idea! Doing for Reggae album covers what Blue Note did for Jazz album covers years ago. I received this book as a birthday gift and have already purchased several to give to friends this Christmas. Any fan of reggae would be hard pressed to find a book on reggae that is more visually stimulating and fun to read. Different from the generic styles of pop music CDs these days, Reggae albums really were an art form. "Stir It Up" is an excellent representation of the social and political influence of Reggae music and the vibrant artwork that encased it. A beautiful book! I highly recommend it.

I am enchanted with this beautiful book of reggae album covers. Mr. Morrow's highly perceptive insight into reggae's truth and simplicity is gem that I haven't seen elsewhere.

This is a superb book with some great images of some of the best sleeves ever produced. It has a lot of background on the artwork and history behind the sleeves. Ignore the critics who seem to be expecting some kinda thesis on the subject or think this book is exploitation or sexist (!?), its a great book and you won't regret buying it (or even cutting out some of the pages and framing them!). Enjoy. Peace.