A new album looks at the close links between the Rastafari religion and reggae music Bob Marley: his popularity spread the Rasta gospel. Photograph: Peter Still/Redferns By Jim Carroll —  Music and religion have long made for a potent mix. In the case of reggae and the Rastafari religion, the links go deep, as a new compilation from the Soul Jazz label makes clear. Rastafari: The Dreads Enter Babylon, 1955-83 is a fascinating document. Musically, it’s a great account of how Rastafari beliefs found their way into the sound of acts such as Ashanti Roy, Johnny Clarke, Winston & Ansell, Rod Taylor and many others. But the compilation also presents a compelling socioeconomic tale of how the Rasta religion grew in profile and popularity in Jamaica from the 1930s on. Haile Selassie was crowned emperor of Ethiopia in … Read entire article »