Tradition

Tradition are a UK-based reggae band who emerged from Brent, North West London, in 1976 and became a respected name on the British reggae scene in the late 1970s. Originally formed as Special Brew, the group built early momentum with socially conscious roots reggae and quickly aligned themselves with progressive movements, including performing as a headline act on the Rock Against Racism tour. After signing with Venture Records, Tradition released early singles such as “Moving On,” “Rastafari,” and “Summertime,” and gained wider attention with the 12-inch discomix “Why Why.” Renowned for their strong live performances, they backed legendary Jamaican artists including Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Culture, and Honey Boy, while also working as a studio band. Their single “Breezin’” won Echoes magazine’s Best Single award in 1978, the same year they signed briefly with RCA Records. Line-up changes throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s led to a gradual decline, with their final album Spirit of Ecstasy (1982) leaning heavily on keyboardist Paul “Echo” Thompson. Tradition split in 1983, but their influence endured, and after more than two decades apart, key members regrouped in the late 2000s, bringing the band’s legacy back to life for a new generation of reggae audiences.