Reggae Bloodlines : Stephen Davis and Peter Simon

This is a nice magazine sized 8x11 softback book by Stephen Davis and Peter Simon originally from 1977.  My copy is a De Capo Press reissue from 1992 with the updated cover art you see to your left.  This "story" starts out as a typical American journalist goes in search of insight to the reggae music scene witch is beginning it's stretch across the popular music landscape.  Our journalist author and his photographer friend quickly get more than they bargained for but nothing they are ready to handle.  Meeting one local after another, they seem to be passed of on to all sorts of genuine Jamaican characters who show them every view of the current life situation on the island.  Politics, economics, colonial slavery and history,the ganja trade, and tourism are just some of the areas of interest that are touched upon.  Our authors fearlessly delve in to the different neighborhoods and hill side pit stops to retrieve endlessly entertaining interviews with local legends and shanty town historians.  This book can be a nice quick read with only about 224 pages and many black and white photos to guide you along the journey in to seventies Jamaica.  Peter Simon has written about ten books on popular music including : Hammer of the Gods (The Led Zeppelin Saga) and Reggae International (Bob Marley).  I haven't read any of his other publications, but look forward to checking out Hammer of the Gods.