Roots Archives - Album reviews

Bob Marley & The Wailers - Another Dance (Rarities From Studio 1)

Reviewed by MightyZ on Nov. 25, 2007

Bob Marley and the Wailers are probably the best known names in Reggae music worldwide. The success enjoyed by the Wailers in the 70’s and the legendary status achieved by Bob Marley are well known, but for me the best part of the story is right at the beginning. read more...

Yellowman - Just Cool

Reviewed by Hans on Nov. 03, 2007

To refresh my mind I just browsed Roots Archives to check the albums Yellowman recorded in the early Eighties. I counted 14 albums in the 1982 list, the first year Yellowman's LPs were released. Yes, I did say 14! About half of them have been performed together with DJ-brother Fathead and some of them in combination with other DJs. Just like this re-issue CD of the 1982 LP 'Just Cool', most of those albums are produced by Henry Junjo Lawes. read more...

Black Roots - In Session

Reviewed by Seb on Oct. 31, 2007

If I say 'Black Roots' there's a good chance you'll reply 'Sugar Minott' but there's anoher Black Roots in the reggae world, a UK-based band formed in 1979. Even if this band is kind of underrated today, it was one of the most promising groups in the early 80s. read more...

Various Artists - Skarama

Reviewed by MightyZ on Oct. 31, 2007

Last Thursday at 10:30 I took over on the decks to commence my DJ set. The dance floor had been pretty quiet and there seemed little hope of me changing that. Nevertheless, I had 30 minutes of my trademark ‘Blazing Horns Ska’ set lined up, so I dutifully kicked off with ‘Teenage Ska’. The transformation began, the people started to move and the dance floor ceased to be empty. One guy came up and asked us – who is the trumpeter on this track? The answer was Baba Brooks. read more...

Jacob Miller & Ray I - Natty Christmas

Reviewed by Hans on Oct. 28, 2007

For a brief impression of Christmas in Jamaica, read the next quote(*) from Caribbean.com: "The Christmas season in Jamaica is the most festive time of year, filled with non-stop celebrations, special treats, entertainment, parties, festivals, and happy gatherings of friends and family. read more...

Kiddus I - Graduation In Zion

Reviewed by Seb on Oct. 23, 2007

For obscure reasons, some artists reach the top of the charts while others stay in the shadows despite undeniable talent. Kiddus I belongs to the second category even if he was briefly in the spotlight for the famous 'Rockers' movie soundtrack song: 'Graduation in Zion'; the title track of this release. We have been waiting since the 70s for a full album dedicated to this committed artist, so let's be thankful to Dub Store for their hard work compiling vintage singles. read more...

Augustus Clarke - Greensleeves 12" Rulers

Reviewed by Hans on Oct. 16, 2007

If you browse Roots Archive for Augustus 'Gussie' Clarke you will find an impressive listing of his service to reggae music. Gussie started producing in the early Seventies for artists including Big Youth, I Roy and Delroy Wilson. Preceded by Jammy and Tubby, he was one of the producers who jumped in the digital reggae sound in the mid Eighties. In 1988 and 1989 Gussie made hit after hit with his Music Works digital sound. I 'Reggae The Rough Guide' Steve Barrow and Peter Dalton wrote; "... read more...

Various Artists - One Drop Anthems 2007

Reviewed by Hans on Oct. 05, 2007

In 2005 and 2006 Greensleeves brought us the first two editions of a new compilation series called 'The Biggest One Drop Anthems'. Both double CDs are filled with roots and conscious songs and are performed by the 'Now Generation' artists. For example, songs like 'Jamaica' by Jah Cure, 'Serious Times' by Gyptian, 'Ganja Farmer' by Marlon Asher and 'Jah Time' by Fantan Mojah. Tunes which were played at almost every reggae event in Europe. read more...

B.B. Seaton - After All This Time

Reviewed by Bellyman on Oct. 02, 2007

I really LOVE this release so much, I almost had no time to write about it just because I have to listen to it all the time and simply rejoice ! 'After All This Time' is quite an understatement if you take in account that BB Seaton has a recording history that reaches back as far as the late 1950s. read more...

Bim Sherman - Tribulation (Down In Jamdown)

Reviewed by Seb on Oct. 01, 2007

The Pressure Sounds label is really showing itself to be prolific in this end of year. Only a few weeks have passed since the great release 'Rockstone' (PSCD 56) and they are back at it again! They've given us a beautiful new surprise compilation of Bim Sherman - 'Tribulation - Down In Jamdown 1974 to 1979'. This singer is known mostly for his work with producer Adrian Sherwood and his On-U Sound label. read more...

Rod Taylor - Where Is Your Love Mankind

Reviewed by Hans on Oct. 01, 2007

Some time ago Greensleeves announced this re-issue, giving me a perfect reason to spin my green vinyl sample again. Looking at the LP cover, I remember the smashing colours were pretty unusual at the time. The more common picture on the front was a back-lighted and slightly blue, glowing one. It is probably Rod Taylor himself along with an unknown lady who are posing in front of a Jamaican house, both with almost unrecognizable faces. read more...

Dennis Brown - My Heart Is An Open Book

Reviewed by Hans on Sep. 22, 2007

When you go to see a live performance by a veteran reggae artist there's a big chance the band will play an intro medley made up of snippets from the singer's big hits. Any band doing this for Dennis Brown would need more than 15 minutes to play such an intro. Just check the Dennis Brown compilation albums in our Archives and count all those great songs he recorded, the result will amaze you. I'm always curious which songs a new Dennis Brown compilation CD will include. read more...

Various Artists - Studio One Roots Vol 3

Reviewed by MightyZ on Sep. 10, 2007

Studio One was always one of the front line players during the Ska and Rock Steady years. It is also well known for its development of young artists and for the origination of many riddims which became dancehall classics. What is often overlooked is the wealth of early roots reggae from the studio and its deep connection with the Rastafarian movement. read more...

Various Artists - When Rhythm Was King

Reviewed by MightyZ on Sep. 08, 2007

The moment I began to listen to 'When Rhythm Was King' it became clear how they came up with the title! The front cover carries the message "Collectors beware – this is a release for the masses". I guessed that tagline was basically trying to say that this isn't a collection of lesser known, obscure tracks. This is a collection of the riddims that we all know and love, the classic Studio One riddims. It is packed with some of the finest and best known artists in the world of Roots Reggae. read more...

Various Artists - Summer Records Anthology

Reviewed by Hans on Sep. 08, 2007

Jerry Brown is looking very satisfied and sure of himself on the cover of this latest Light In The Attic release. This Seattle CA based label already brought the r&b world some great releases from artist like Betty Davis, Nicole Willis and the Jackie Mittoo's band mate Wayne McGhie with his mix of soul, funk and reggae on the re-release of his 1970 "Wayne McGhie & The Sounds Of Joy" LP. read more...

Various Artists - From Dubplate To Download

Reviewed by Hans on Sep. 07, 2007

From Dubplate To Download, subtitled The Best Of Greensleeves Records, showcases 30 reggae hits released by Greensleeves from 1977 to the present day. But why a review of this if Roots Archives features only reggae music from 1970 to 1985? Simple: this album shows the power of 30 years of reggae music. read more...

Toots & The Maytals - Light Your Light

Reviewed by Seb on Sep. 07, 2007

3 years after the release of the Grammy Awards winning 'True Love', Toots Hibberts comes back with his new CD 'Light Your Light'. It's wrong to change a winning team so Richard Feldman again takes charge of the production. He explains the angle chosen for this recording session : « This is a record on which Toots packs more of his grooviness than ever before. He also plays guitar on nearly all the tracks, and adds several backing vocals to give it a bit of the classic Maytals trio sound. read more...

Little John - Ghetto Youth

Reviewed by Hans on Sep. 06, 2007

"A DANCEHALL STYLE .... " is coming out of my speakers, loud and clear. VP Records is spoiling the music world again with the re-issue of this 1983 lp. After performing for soundsystems like Gemini and Killimanjaro and recording for Youth Promotion, Don Mais and Jah Thomas, Little John (born 1970) joined Volcano in the early 80's. At that time he established himself already with tunes like "51 Storm", together with Captain Sinbad, and "All Who Gone". read more...

Toyan - Spar With Me

Reviewed by Hans on Sep. 05, 2007

VP Records hit the streets with 80's re-releases in the series "Reggae Rewind". The series features classic and essential reggae and dancehall albums remastered and re-issued. One of the latest Reggae Rewind releases is the re-issue of danchehall Toyan's 1982 album 'Spar With Me'. After Toyan's co-operation with Roots Tradition producer Don Mais, Toyan made his debut album in 1981 for Greensleeves Records: 'How The West Was Won', produced by Henry Junjo Lawes. read more...

Zap Pow - Zap Pow

Reviewed by Seb on Sep. 05, 2007

Many reggae fans may not know Zap Pow, apart from perhaps the international hit "This Is Reggae Music" available on countless compilations. Even so, you just have to take a look at the musicians present on this album, first released by Island Records by 1978, to be convinced that this band deserves a bit more attention. Zap Pow were the first band to include Beres Hammond as a continuous member, although he didn't belong to the original lineup. He went on to become a reggae superstar. read more...

The Skatalites - Rolling Steady

Reviewed by Seb on Sep. 02, 2007

Probably one of the most important bands in the reggae history, the Skatalites were there during the heydays of numerous producers, notably Coxsone Dodd and his famous Studio One label. Nearly 20 years after their formation in 1964, the Skatalites were asked by Peter Tosh to come and rehearse with him for his 1983 Jamaica's Sunsplash gig. read more...

Native - Rockstone