Sanctuary Records Group - Trojan

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Arise Rootsman – Jamaican Roots – 1965 - 1983

Released on 18 August 2003.

 

"Compiled and annotated by leading Reggae journalist, Michael De Koningh, this 2 CD set follows in the wake of the highly acclaimed 'Place Called Africa' set of last year, by tracing the development of Roots from its very beginnings. Featuring Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae and Dancehall sides from a period spanning almost three decades, Arise Rootsman not only provides a fascinating musical history lesson, but also brings together some of the finest recordings from the Trojan archives"

Roots is a term that realy took hold in the mid 70's but this fascinating CD traces 'roots' back into the 60's and the days rocksteady and ska. Some of the styles and the artists in some respects are those that ordinarily would not be first to spring to mind, like Greyhound, Nora Dean, maybe even Ken Boothe though some are like the Ethiopians with Train to Glory yo the familiar 'Train to Skaville' rhythm. Nora Dean without the Barbwire and distinctive vocal in a soul style version of Bobby Powell's Peace Begins within.

How much was heartfelt and how much was a plea to embryonic (possibly only local) success, notoriety and fame is difficult to tell, but it is clear that there was and is an underlying consciousness. At times it became overt and the fashioned the lifestyles of certain artists and generally is now engrained in popular Jamaican culture, possibly more so than on other islands.

Some great vocal songs in the early days, Bob Andy, Little Roy particularly and of course the wonderful Alton Ellis with the superb Black Man's Pride. Roots though to me was encapsulated by the vocal harmony groupe and these abound, even in the late 60's and early 70's – the likes of the Wailing Souls (Harbour Shark), Heptones (Hypocrite) and the Maytones (Baylon a fall), Carlton & the Shoes and a new one to me, a great track indeed Hard Time by Rocking Horse.

As we get into the 70's the styles changed and the toasters of the day became pre- eminent I Roy (two great tunes Black Man Time and Red Gold and Green) and Big Youth, Denis Alcapone but also some instrumental dubs also had roots themes, plus of course the wizardry of lee Perry with a take on the ChiLites on Justice to the people.

Stunning track with haunting dub version out of Lee Perry is his Silvertones Rejoice Jah Jah Children and Rejoicing Skank. Cd2 picks up where CD 1 left of with more harmony and the Heptones and upfront DJ work of I Roy. With guys like this there is a host of material to choose from but Suffering So is a worthy choice but you kinda think of what you might have included – Cool Rasta maybe.

Gregory probably in his heyday was the Lovers king but his lazy groove was equally suited to roots. Bobby Melody's Jah Bring I Joy is also quality. Another interesting and less well know vocal harmony group was Tapper Zukie's Knowledge, showcasing here a song called Sentry. One of the kings of roots music was Ras Michael and his Sons of Negus, roots to the fullest, with a lazy haunting question Where is your Goldmine.

We close in the early 80's with a harder sound, as dancehall approached, typified by Leroy Smart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-CD SET

  DISC 1:

  After A Storm - Justin Hinds & The Dominoes -

  Train To Glory - The Ethiopians -

  Weep - Bob Andy -

  Peace Begins Within - Nora Dean -

  Hard Fighter - Little Roy -

  Babylon A Fall - Maytones -

  Black Man's Pride - Alton Ellis -

  Harbour Shark - Wailing Souls -

  The Pressure Is Coming On - Greyhound -

  Satan Side - Keith Hudson -

  Hard Time - Rocking Horse -

  Changing Times - Roman Stewart & Dave Barker -

  Riot - Soul Syndicate -

  Tubby's Control - Tommy McCook & Rad Wilson -

  Hypocrite - Heptones -

  Rebel Train - DJAGO -

  Throw Away Your Gun - Busty Brown -

  Black Man Time - I Roy -

  Better Days - Carlton And His Shoes -

  Black, Gold, And Green - Ken Boothe -

  Red, Gold And Green - I Roy -

  2 Wedden Skank - Glen Brown -

  The Killer - Big Youth -

  Justice To The People -

  DISC 2:

  Rasta Dub - Dennis Alcapone -

  Rejoice Jah Jah Children - Silvertones -

  Rejoicing Skank - Silvertones -

  Can You Keep A Secret - Big Youth & Keith Hudson -

  Suffering So - Heptones -

  Tip From The Prince - I Roy -

  Bad Da - Gregory Isaacs -

  Eli's Move - Augustus Pablo -

  Jah Bring I Joy - Bobby Melody -

  Jah Jah Bless I - Lizzard -

  Mother And Father - Michael Robinson -

  The Slave Trade - One Love -

  Sentry - Knowledge -

  Give Them Thanks And Praise - Jimmy Riley -

  Strange Things - Sugar Minott -

  Where Is Your Goldmine - Ras Michael & Sons Of Negus -

  We Must Unite - Viceroys -

  Too Much Pressure - Leroy Smart -

  Dreadlocks - Antony Johnson -

  Satta Dread - Wayne Jarrett -

 

 

 

 

 

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