PUBLISHER NOTE: Skinhead REGGAE HIT THE TOWN is an updated deluxe edition of The History of Skinhead Reggae 1968-1972. Images have been enhanced and the Pama labels and album artwork appear in full colour for the first time in this extended 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. About the same time as man landed on the moon a new subculture was evolving from the remnants of the mod era, many who were working class couldn't empathise with the hippies hedonistic approach and got harder and with a little influence from the their new found West Indian friends and the rude boy back in Jamaica the skinhead was born. At this time 007 had hit the charts and Israelites was following behind, a new distinctive sound was reaching out to the disillusioned youth, a complete transformation of musical style to the pop and rock of the flower power sixties. The mods had earlier in the decade formed an allegiance to ska with Prince Buster at the forefront but their younger brothers were now entwined with the new sounds outpouring from Jamaica. The clothes of choice was quality with Ben Sherman shirts Levi jeans and Dr Martens boots. The jeans were wore at half mast copying the rude boy of Jamaica but perhaps the most distinctive look that set them aside from the mainstream was the cropped head, not shaven but cropped. The purchasing power of the skinhead helped to elevate reggae music to the fore with classics such as Liquidator and Long Shot Kick De Bucket forced out from the school disco and youth clubs and into high street shops and the pop charts influencing the arm of radio one to eventually play reggae.

By the summer of 1972 it was all over, the hair had grown, smooth but not too long, and reggae became a forgotten force having become string laded and watered down. Take a trip down memory lane to relive the classic singles and iconic albums that retailed for just 14/6.