Written by Yannick Maréchal (creator of fanzines and of the Reggay Time label), the Encyclopédie du Reggae sets out to be the equivalent of the Dictionnaire du Rock, minus the exhaustiveness... as it covers only the period 1960-1980. That still makes 250 artists listed and 1,300 LPs, with their references and prices.
It offers solid biographies and discographies, even if a few approximations are to be regretted. This Encyclopedia nevertheless remains the only book of its kind written entirely in French. A good introduction before diving into the reggae nebula.
L'Encyclopédie du Reggae
By Yannick Maréchal
Editions Alternatives
€25