30 years after their debut album Black Roots returned to the studio to produce a set of new and original songs. In September 2012 Sugar Shack Records released them in an album entitled On the Ground. With these new songs they are reborn. They have bridged that gap between their 80¡Çs heyday and now, writing and composing new songs almost as if they had never left the reggae music scene. Their sound is once again delivering ¡Æ.. powerful messages hand-in-hand with lovely melodies and well-layered arrangements; with thought rather than anger.¡Ç Brian Robbins Jambands.com.
Then in September 2014, they follow this up with Ghetto Feel released, via Soulbeats Records. It is a powerful set that does not compromise the deep roots sound of the band and continues to deliver a radical message. ¡Æ.. "Ghetto Feel is the place where the forgotten live, all the forgotten of this world,¡É explains the group. Ghetto Feel isn¡Çt made for those who live on life¡Çs sunny side. This record is aimed at those left alone to fight life¡Çs daily struggles, at those that have been rendered hopeless and voiceless by the system. The songs are the pure upliftment and motivation to fight the necessary struggles, keep one¡Çs head up and ultimately succeed against all odds...... Ghetto Feel is the perfect soundtrack for these times of crisis.¡Ç Valentin Zill Reggaeville.
These 2 albums are followed up with Son of Man in January 2016 also on Soulbeats. It is another set of tight harmonic vocals, punctuated by strident horns, melodic guitar and keyboards laid over a thumping bass and drum section delivering a powerful message. It is another uprising and uplifting collection of full on deep roots.
In August 2016 the band released the Move On ep, on digital format only and followed this up in May 2017 with the I Believe ep featuring Jah Garvey and Buggsy, 2 Bristol based emcees. These are 2 remix EPs featuring remixes of previously released songs.
And now, there is a new album out on the 2nd November 2018 called Take Iton the band¡Çs own label in collaboration with Khanti Records, another independent record company based in France. The album is available on CD, vinyl, download and streaming features 11 new songs. This album builds on the work that Black Roots has done. They have never shied away from making social and political commentary or singing about African emancipation. But always with that ability to be inclusive, encompassing all people and races into that message, speaking about knowledge, empowerment and of coming together to stand up and fight against those that seek to oppress and enslave the poor and the weak in society.
In the 1980¡Çs, they rose up alongside other UK groups like Steel Pulse, Aswad and Misty In Roots in what is the World¡Çs second most important reggae scene. They played a militant style of deep roots that is still influencing and driving their music today. Their brand of roots reggae draws in people seeking to find a voice that speaks out against the injustices and alienation. Black Roots¡Ç uncompromising lyrical content is that voice.
They gained national prominence after the release of their debut 4 track 12¡É Bristol Rock in 1981 on Nubian Records. John Peel picked up on it gave it national airplay on his BBC Radio 1 show and hailed them as one of the best new reggae bands in Britain. They played the live circuit extensively and released several records Black Roots (1983); The Frontline (1984); In Session (1985); Allday Allnight (1986), Live Power (1989), Natural Reaction (1990) and With Friends (1993). Then all goes quiet. It was Makasound who started their comeback by reissuing some of their original material first On the Frontline (2004) and then on In Session (2007). The band¡Çs rebirth is cemented by Bristol Archive Records with 2 more reissues a compilation of their singles The Reggae Singles Anthology (2011) and Allday Allnight (2012).
New album out 2nd November 2018 on CD, Vinyl, Download and Streaming
"All our songs were inspired by the over sight of how the youth dem lost their way in the jungle of capitalism, slaying dem brothers and sisters without any hesitation. That brutality comes from the mindset of our so-called leaders. Especially the title track, Take It, which sums up the world's concept, putting money before life, not of Jahjah, the almighty God, Rastafari". So, says the band about this album. And when you read this, it becomes clear that Black Roots are not about to be turned away from the path that they have chosen.
They have never shied away from making social and political commentary or singing about African emancipation. But always with that ability to be inclusive, encompassing all people and races into that message, speaking about knowledge, empowerment and of coming together to stand up and fight against those that seek to oppress and enslave the poor and the weak in society.
This new album, called Take Itis released on the band’s own label Nubian Records in collaboration with Khanti Records, another independent record company based in France. It is available on CD, vinyl, download and streaming features 11 new songs produced by the band but mixed, mastered and edited by Louis Beckett.
"All our songs were inspired by the over sight of how the youth dem lost their way in the jungle of capitalism, slaying dem brothers and sisters without any hesitation. That brutality comes from the mindset of our so-called leaders. Especially the title track, Take It, which sums up the world's concept, putting money before life, not of Jahjah, the almighty God, Rastafari". So, says the band about this album. And when you read this, it becomes clear that Black Roots are not about to be turned away from the path that they have chosen.
