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Robert ‘Bobby Digital’ Dixon (1961 – 2020) was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall pioneer who oversaw the transformation of reggae’s analogue roots bringing the sound firmly into the digital age in the 80s and early 90s. Digital’s early career saw him set up launch his own Heatwave Soundsystem and work as an in-house engineer at Prince Jammy’s studio in Kingston. He went on to open his own ‘Digital B’ studio and label where the likes of Shabba Ranks, Garnett Silk and Sizzla recorded tunes that would turn them into global stars.

Digital also played a huge part in creating the framework for reggaeton. Shabba Ranks’ voicing of Steely & Cleevie’s Poco Man Jam Riddim produced by Digital ‘Dem Bow’ gives the name to the now ubiquitous riddim that exploded in Jamaica and across the Caribbean in the early 90s.

While being a foundational part of modern Jamaican music, Bobby Digital’s influence spreads far beyond.

This is a selection of Bobby Digital-produced tunes (almost) all released on his Digital B label brought to you by El Tel.