Sly and Robbie

Jamaica, 1975–2026

Jamaican rhythm section of drummer Sly Dunbar (1952-2026) and bassist Robbie Shakespeare (1953-2021), the most recorded pair in popular music. Through their Taxi label they carried reggae from rockers into digital dancehall, and played for Grace Jones, Bob Dylan and Serge Gainsbourg besides.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Sly and Robbie and 1 artist Sly and Robbie influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Sly and Robbie?

• The Skatalites — Lloyd Knibb is the reason Sly Dunbar took up drums, and he says so — the Skatalites' shifted offbeat is the thing he spent a career rebuilding.
• Booker T. & the M.G.'s — Al Jackson Jr's Memphis time is the other half of Sly Dunbar's playing, named by him alongside Lloyd Knibb.
• Aston «Family Man» Barrett — Barrett taught Robbie Shakespeare and gave him the Hofner he learned on, with an instruction: dominate the place with bass while I am away with Bob.
• Jackie Jackson — The Treasure Isle bass Robbie Shakespeare gravitated to before Barrett took him in hand.

Which artists did Sly and Robbie influence?

• The Slits — The rhythm section Ari Up named — the model for the space Tessa Pollitt's bass plays in rather than the notes.