ABSTRACT
Around 1968, the music shifted down another gear, becoming even slower and “heavier” with an even greater emphasis on the bass. The new rhythm was certainly there on Toots and the Maytals’ hit Do the Reggay. But it can also be heard on a slightly earlier recording entitled People Funny Boy, which had been produced by Lee “Scratch” Perry. By this time Scratch had left Sir Coxsone Dodd’s Studio One label and was striking out on his own. As far as he recollects, the idea of the reggae beat came to him as he was walking past a Pocomania Church:
“… See, at them time, me used to go out town and stay late, drink some beer, thing like that. And one night me walking past a Pocomania church and hear the people inside a wail. And me catch the vibration and say, ‘Boy! Let’s make a sound fe catch the vibration of the people!’ Them was in the spirit and them tune me spiritually. That’s where the thing come from, ‘cos them Poco people getting sweet!”1
