Peter Roots
Road Block

JAH RAGGA / HIGHER MEDITATIONAfrican RevivalJah Waggys

4 cuts built around the same warm, bubbly, ear-catching and - naturally - sub-heavy digital riddim !!!! Love itYou'll find some excellent "versioning" on this offering from Italian imprint Roots Cooperation. It features a quartet of cuts built around the same warm, bubbly, ear-catching and - naturally - sub-heavy digital riddim crafted by producer Rob Gravy. Honey-voiced mic man Anthony Johnson stars on EP opener 'Beholden', offering a slick and soulful delivery of a conscious and thoughtful set of lyrics, before Italian mixer Paco Ten offers up a deliciously weighty and extended dub mix ('Beholdub'). Over on the flip toaster U Brown delivers a deejay style interpretation, rapping in patois atop Rob Gravy's groove, while Billyman reaches for the reverb, echo and tape delay on a ludicrously weighty partner dub.

Before he called time on his lengthy career in 1982, legendary ska trombonist Emmanuel "Rico" Rodriguez became a regular contributor to the Two Tone label, recording two albums for the Coventry-based imprint. Both are now 40 years old - hence this reissue of the second, Jama Rico. Unlike its predecessor, That Man's Forward, Jama Rico looks further afield for inspirations, with the trombonist's usual easy-going reggae and ska instrumentals being joined by a handful of tracks that draw inspiration from West African rhythms and spaced-out jazz-funk. As a result, it's arguably one of his most vibrant and interesting solo sets, while the inclusion of the Special AKA on final track 'Easter Island' highlights his link with the Specials (famously, Rodriguez performed on 'Message to You, Rudy').

Composed, mixed and masterised by Welders Hifi en 2016Vocal by Alpha D and Sersha RockMelodica & flute composed and recorded by Alpha DProduced by Elise GZ (association Faut Qu’ça Son)