Pressure Drop

John Masouri

Pressure Drop chronicles reggae’s most tumultuous and influential decade. Beginning in 1970 and unfolding both in Britain and Jamaica, reggae flourished against a backdrop of political upheaval, gang warfare, Black Nationalism, racial and class discrimination and grinding poverty. 

The music that developed as rocksteady and early reggae gave birth to deejays, dub, rockers, lovers rock, early dancehall and 2 Tone was by turns brutal and revelatory.

Including an extensive analysis of the decade’s major singles and albums, Pressure Drop includes eyewitness accounts and experiences of the decade from the likes of Burning Spear, Chris Blackwell, Gregory Isaacs, Bunny Wailer, Jimmy Cliff, Black Uhuru, U-Roy, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Augustus Pablo, Toots and the Maytals, Desmond Dekker, Sly & Robbie, Dennis Bovell, Don Letts and members of the Specials, as well as first-hand anecdotes of Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.

“Drawing from his vast wealth of knowledge and treasure trove of interviews with reggae’s greatest singers, musicians and producers, author John Masouri’s latest book Pressure Drop Reggae in the Seventies takes an in depth, year by year look at what made that decade so significant to reggae’s trajectory while providing invaluable contexts for each major development. Pressure Drop Reggae in the Seventies isn’t just for reggae lovers: it’s a must read for anyone with an interest in the evolution of popular music.” PATRICIA MESCHINO - Rolling Stone/Billboard Magazine

“John is one of reggae’s most respected and seasoned journalists with a profound knowledge of the music and the stars who made it. The 70’s was the most prolific period in Jamaica’s music history which makes this book an essential study for fans of the music worldwide.” DAVID RODIGAN MBE - BBC 1Xtra 

“Nailed in great detail, Pressure Drop is a testament to bass - Jamaica’s gift to the world and the culture that came with it.” DON LETTS – Author/Film Director/BBC Radio 6 Music 

“PRESSURE DROP is a must have reggae bible that takes a deep dive into the classic reggae period of the 1970s. Forensically researched, stacked with interviews from the major players of the era, I found it compelling. From anyone who has a passing interest in the evolution of reggae to deep reggae heads like myself, there is something in this book for you.” ALEX WHEATLE MBE – Novelist 

"John Masouri ’s “Pressure Drop” takes us on an exciting ride through the hills and gullies of Jamaican music & politics throughout the 70’s. Charting the rise of Rastafari, he not only traces the careers of well-known stars like Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff & Toots Hibbert, but never forgets to pay homage to the myriad of lesser known artists, who were all part of ska and reggae’s rich cultural tapestry in Jamaica and the UK." PAULINE BLACK OBE DL – The Selecter/Actor/Author 

“The golden age of roots reggae in the Seventies stands as perhaps the greatest body of socially conscious, spiritually potent popular music ever. John Masouri, who has personally encountered virtually every notable artist, producer, and scene-maker from that period, tells this fabulous story with informed perspective and fascinating granular detail that only a long-time chronicler of Jamaican music would have.” RANDALL GRASS – Author/Journalist/GM of Shanachie Entertainment US 

“Jamaican music is so blessed to have had John Masouri become a fan when he was 11 years old. His love since then of all genres of our music - from Millie to Marley – has given us volumes of articles, essays and five books that record the history of our music that we unlettered descendants of slaves are able to deposit in libraries, store on bookshelves and place lovingly in our children’s hands. Thanks for another book John. ONE LOVE always!” BARBARA BLAKE-HANNAH – Author/Journalist/Director of the Jamaica Film Academy 

“The best writer on reggae music in the business.” CHRIS WELLS – Editor, Echoes Magazine 

“I’m loving this fly on the wall account of shenanigans that happened in Jamaica when reggae music was at its crest. This book is very intimate and so insightful. Being a big reggae fan, it fills me with envy that I wasn’t there.” DADDY G - Massive Attack

"This is the book I could have written if only I had John's talent. It perfectly mirrors my experience, from the early successes of the likes of Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker and Ken Boothe to the growth of roots reggae and the explosion that was Bob Marley. This is the story of 70's reggae and Masouri tells it masterfully." ROBIN CAMPBELL - UB40

"Provides an indubitable insight into the 70s major artists and their unforgettable recordings. A must have book for anyone who switched on a pop radio station or streamed a song in the past 50 years." Outside Left

"Masouri serves up the energy, passion, and soul of the '70s reggae scene. Pure fire!" Reggae Tastemaker

"A definite must read! Really insightful on the history of Reggae and a joy to read!" Aleighcia Scott

"Against a backdrop of political upheaval, gang warfare, racial and class discrimination and grinding poverty, Pressure Drop tells a story of desperate creativity and visionary artists. While there have been previous books chronicling the rise of reggae, [this] is likely definitive." Vive Le Rock

"Epic frontline account of reggae's defining decade. Masouri draws on his 35 years' service to evoke a time when reggae soundtracked political unrest, mated with punk and laid sonic templates still deployed today. The definitive account of this groundbreaking, if often perilous, era" Kris Needs, Record Collector 5*****

Publication Date: 06.09.24
ISBN: 9781913172848
Extent: 624 pages
Format: Hardback

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