Black Roots - On the Frontline

Black Roots - On the Frontline - Makasound (MKS 09) 2004

Where was I? That was my first reaction when I finally heard this set by this British based reggae band. While I was certainly familiar with some of the other British reggae bands from the 80s (Aswad, Steel Pulse, Matumbi, and Black Slate (among others)), I was completely ignorant of these guys. What a waste!

While the sound is clean and very similar to the production values that one hears on Aswad or Steel Pulse albums, it is still hard roots music. This CD contains track after track of well done, original rhythm reggae music. Like the Gladiators, this is a self contained band. That is, Black Roots plays its own instruments although they do receive some help from Rico Rodriguez and Dick Cuthell on "Move On" and "Whe Dem A Do".

All the tracks on this CD have appeared before on the first two Black Roots albums that were released in 1983 and 1984, "Black Roots" and "Frontline", respectively, although recorded between 1980 and 1983. Luckily for us, Makasound has decided to bring this music out of semi-obscurity (at least for me), so that more roots lovers can finally enjoy one of the better reggae bands that hase come out of the British Isles. Well done Makasound. All roots lovers should enjoy this fine set.