It wasn’t long before their brand of roots reggae started to draw in people seeking to find a voice that spoke out against the injustices and alienation caused by the pace of political reform introduced in Thatcherite Britain. Black Roots’ uncompromising lyrical content was that voice. They gained national prominence when they released their debut “Bristol Rock” 12” in 1981 on their own label Nubian Records. John Peel gave it national airplay on his BBC Radio 1 show and hailed them as one of the best new reggae bands in Britain. Two live radio sessions followed, in 1981 and 1983. The band started to do shows up and down the country and broke into Europe circuit supporting UB40 on their European tour in 1984. They made regular appearances at Glastonbury, WOMAD and other major festivals. Black Roots released several singles and albums well into the 1990's: “Black Roots” (1983), “The Frontline” (1984) and “In Session” (1985) on BBC Records and “Tapes Allday Allnight” (1986), “Live Power” (1989), “Natural Reaction” (1990) and “With Friends” (1993) on their own label Nubian Records. Between 1991 and 1995 they also released a series of 3 dub albums called “Dub Factor” featuring dub mixes of Black Roots’ rhythms by The Mad Professor and Dub Judah. Then the band seems to slide off the ends of the earth and nothing happens until 2004. But that loyal following of theirs continues to search out their music and it is this loyalty that leads to their re-emergence.
French reggae label Makasound re-released some of their back catalogue, followed with live shows. Bristol Archive Records started putting out more of their back catalogue. In 2012 the band released first studio album in over 20 years entitled “On the Ground” and later its dub version. The latest album “Ghetto Feel” was released on French Soulbeats Records in 2014.
This is a powerful set that does not compromise the deep roots sound of the band and continues to deliver a radical message. Today’s line-up includes 6 of the original members of the band, with strong and unique vocal section of 4 lead singers.
Real treasure in the European roots family and a real feast for the lovers of Steel Pulse, Aswad, Misty in Roots etc.
The show at the main Red Stage of Ostróda Reggae Festival on Aug 7th will be their first ever Polish performance.
Links:
video:
“Juvenile Delinquent” live
“Ghetto Feel” clip 2014
live Garance Reggae Festival 2014
Black Roots video biography 2014
“Allday Allnight” live
“Tribal War” live
“Opportunity” live
