Best 70s Reggae Albums on CD
The 1970s was a strong decade for reggae music. Many of the best 70s reggae albums are still available on CD, which makes it easy to revisit the music properly rather than just dipping into individual tracks. While rock and disco often grabbed the headlines, reggae was building a global audience and producing albums that are still respected today.
If you enjoy 70s reggae, or you’re looking to add a few essential albums to your collection, here are some that are well worth considering.
Bob Marley – Exodus (1977)
Released in 1977, Exodus is often considered one of the defining reggae albums of the decade.
It includes well-known tracks such as “Jamming”, “Three Little Birds” and “One Love”, but the album works best when listened to from start to finish. There’s a balance between political themes and lighter moments that helped it reach a worldwide audience.
Bob Marley remains one of the most influential reggae artists of the 1970s, and you can read more about his career and impact in my dedicated post.
If you’re starting a 70s reggae collection, this is one of the safest places to begin. It remains widely available on CD and continues to attract new listeners.
Bob Marley – Catch a Fire (1973)
Catch a Fire, released in 1973, was one of the albums that helped introduce reggae to a broader international audience.
Tracks like “Stir It Up” and “Concrete Jungle” show a slightly rawer sound compared to later releases. There’s an energy to the recording that still holds up today.
For anyone interested in hearing how 70s reggae developed during the early part of the decade, this album is well worth owning on CD.
👉 View on Amazon: Catch A Fire
Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come (1972)
Although technically a soundtrack, The Harder They Come became one of the most important reggae releases of the early 70s.
It introduced many listeners outside Jamaica to reggae music for the first time. Songs like “Many Rivers to Cross” helped cement its reputation.
The album still sounds authentic and represents an important moment in reggae history. It remains available on CD and is a strong addition to any 70s collection.
👉 View on Amazon: The Harder They Come
Toots and the Maytals – Funky Kingston (1973)
Funky Kingston offers a slightly different feel from some of the more politically focused reggae albums of the decade.
With tracks like “Pressure Drop”, it has a lively, energetic sound that blends reggae with soul influences. It’s one of those albums that still feels upbeat and accessible.
For fans looking to explore beyond the most obvious names, this is a worthwhile addition and is still available on CD.
👉 View on Amazon: Funky Kingston
Peter Tosh – Greatest Hits (Compilation)
If you’re looking for an introduction to Peter Tosh’s music from the 1970s, a greatest hits collection is a practical choice.
Rather than focusing on one studio album, this type of compilation brings together several of his best-known tracks in one place. Songs such as “Legalize It” and “Equal Rights” helped define his solo career and showed his more direct, uncompromising style.
While some listeners may prefer owning the original albums, a greatest hits CD offers a straightforward way to explore his work without having to search across multiple releases.
For anyone building a 70s reggae collection, this makes a solid addition and is still widely available on CD.
👉 View on Amazon: The Best Of Peter Tosh
Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey (1975)
Marcus Garvey, released in 1975, is often regarded as one of the most respected roots reggae albums of the decade.
It has a serious tone throughout, with thoughtful lyrics and a steady, hypnotic rhythm that rewards careful listening.
If you’re interested in the deeper side of 70s reggae rather than just the better-known singles, this album is well worth exploring. It continues to be available on CD for those building a more complete collection.
👉 View on Amazon: Burning Spear
Are 70s Reggae Albums Still Worth Buying on CD?
Streaming makes music easy to access, but there’s something different about listening to a full reggae album as it was originally released.
Many of the best 70s reggae albums were designed to be heard in sequence, with a consistent mood and flow. Owning them on CD also means having the original artwork and liner notes, which add context to the music.
For collectors of 70s music, reggae deserves a place alongside rock and soul in any well-rounded collection.
If you’re interested in the wider reggae scene of the decade, you might also enjoy my overview of 70s reggae artists and key moments from the era.
Final Thoughts
The 1970s was a key period for reggae, producing albums that are still widely respected today.
Whether you’re revisiting the music or discovering it for the first time, these albums remain strong choices and are still available on CD for anyone looking to build a collection.
If you enjoy exploring artists from the decade, you might also find my guide to the greatest 70s rock albums useful, along with my free A–Z of 70s Music Artists reference guide.
Frank
