Issential Knowledge

Blessings, The Movement is here.

Though Reggae enjoys a constant influx of new artists to discover, it is rare that a new band arrives on the scene.  Rootz Underground has emerged as a very refreshing alternative to the riddim circuit and has several tracks that deserve anthem status on their debut album “Movement.”  They hit the ground running with their single “Victims of a System” which I actually picked up on 7″ while at the Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica last year.  I originally picked it up to support my cousin, guitarist Jeffery Moss-Solomon  but after I threw on the record I knew that that would only be a very fortunate side note because they had finally delivered the sound that Reggae purists were searching for.  Hard hitting one drops and nyabinghi drums with some of the most righteous lyrics that I have heard in a while.  And finally a band!  After I picked up the album I was impressed with the consistency and sincerity of each of the track.  My personal favorite is “Herb Fields” where singer Stephen Newland pays homage to his Rastafarian upbringing chanting, “the secret the my mama used to hide from me, I man must have been born inna herb fields.”  Rastafarianism is a relatively new religion so it is is beautiful to see other youth that have been raised with consciousness.  This song is important because it reveals his upbringing and honors his parents commitment to Rasta.

Reggae is a genre that is made to be played live.  Many other genres use a lot of studio production when making an album and then have a hard time accurately depicting it in a live setting but Reggae is exactly the opposite.  Roots Reggae was born out of the live sessions of Sly and Robbie and the Roots Radics and the members of Rootz Underground have clearly been paying attention.  Their live performance is where they capture the true essence of the music and this is why they have enjoyed so much success.  The talent and dedication of the band is evident immediately as they flow seamlessly from song to song and even add samples and live mixing to remix the album versions.  They know that reggae fans will never complain of too much dub-wise.  The primary reason I chose to highlight them now is because they are offering a free download of their latest release “Alive,” which captures the unique experience that is a Rootz Underground show.  Please take this opportunity to support them and discover the next generation in Roots Reggae.  I got big up all the members of the band  and thank you for your contribution.  For those of you in the Bay Area, you can join me at the Ragga Muffins Festival where Rootz Underground will be playing along with Stephen and Julian Marley, Lee Scratch Perry, and K’Naan.

Jah Bless – One Lovell