Words by Jesse Serwer, Martei Korley and Sherman Escoffery—
In contrast to some other genres, reggae guitarists don’t necessarily enjoy greater status or celebrity than their cohorts in the rhythm section. Everyone who owns a non-Bob Marley reggae LP knows Sly and Robbie; a considerably smaller portion of folks know Bob and the Riddim Twins‘ preferred six-string partner, Earl “Chinna” Smith (at right in the above pic, with fellow JA guitar great Ernest Ranglin). To help you put a name and face to some of your favorite reggae licks, we’ve compiled a guide to the style’s best and most influential guitarists.