The combination of trombone, saxophone and trumpet, played in unison, is the standard horn section of reggae recordings and touring outfits in the earlier days of roots reggae music. Introducing, accenting or alternating with vocals, the horn line often carries a melody of its own, while not detracting from the singer's lyrics.

There have been numerous outstanding horn lines in Jamaican music, with the Alpha Boys School and the Jamaica Military Band producing quality men of brass. Naturally, opinions about which horn line is the best vary wildly, but among those which continue to make a strong impact are:

Sattamassagana

Recorded in 1969 for Studio One, the Abyssinians' classic praise song (the Amharic title translates to 'Give Thanks') was not released initially, but was the title of their 1976 debut album. The opening lyrics, "There is a land, far far away" are preceded by a stirring horn line, the phrase repeated during the song as the vocalists step aside. Sattamassaga was re-recorded by Third World and is the first track on their 1976 Third World album. The rhythm was revisited in the late 1990s, deejays Capleton (Raggy Road) and Sizzla (One Away) hitting big, horn line and all. They were not the first deejays to rock the rhythm, as Big Youth's I Pray Thee is a bona fide, enduring hit.

Promised Land/Love Fire

The horn introduction, over which Dennis Brown sings a soaring, repeated "oh oh", is largely soulful, but at the end, just before the 'Crown Prince of Reggae' sings "the Promised Land, going to the Promised Land", the horns rise into a short, spirited phrase. The rhythm is utilised by British reggae rockers Aswad for Love Fire, which is the last song on their 1981 album, New Chapter.

Lift Up Your Head

The title track of Everton Blender's 1994 album, the horn line on Lift Up Your Head leads into chorus, sung by the harmony vocalists, then Blender sings "time getting harder, still we striving for better ... "

Natural Mystic

Whether Bob Marley was referring to the horn section when he sang "there is a natural mystic blowing through the air/ if you listen carefully now you will hear" on the opening track of his 1977 Exodus album is up for debate. There is no doubt, though, that the horn line in the middle of the track, which is broken by a brisk drum roll before the vocals come in again, has been heard by uncountable people the world over.

-Mel Cooke