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Robbie Shakespeare

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Robbie Shakespeare (27 September 1953 - 8 December 2021) was a Jamaican bassist and producer who, with drummer Sly Dunbar, formed the celebrated rhythm partnership Sly and Robbie. From the mid-1970s the pair anchored countless sessions and their own Taxi label, backing Black Uhuru, Peter Tosh, Gregory Isaacs and many others while also producing crossover work for Grace Jones and Bob Dylan. Shakespeare, admired for his heavy, melodic basslines, died at age 68 following kidney surgery.

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Wikipedia; Caribbean Beat.

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Billboard — Robbie Shakespeare, Legendary Bass Player Who Formed Sly & Robbie, Dies at 68

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Billboard article; clickable source URL for editorial verification, external reference only.

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Story · Well supportedBasslines that defined reggae

Reggae is often called bass music; these are some of the hands that made the bassline the lead instrument.

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Compiled and researched by The Jamaica Music Atlas music desk. The sources that informed it are credited above.

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