Michael Rose - African Roots

Michael Rose has been a stalwart of the roots reggae scene since his early days as a solo artist in the 1970s; he hit his commercial and artistic peak as lead singer for "Black Uhuru" during that band's most productive period, but his subsequent solo work has been quite respectable as well.

"African Roots" finds him on M Records, a label that has previously served as the exclusive home to Twilight Circus Dub Sound System, the one-man dub band otherwise known as Legendary Pink Dots bassist Ryan Moore. The combination of Rose's powerful vocals and Moore's dark, dubwise production turns out to be a perfect fit, and with sidemen like percussionists Scully Sims and Norman Grant (of the Twinkle Brothers), drummer Style Scott (of Dub Syndicate), trombonist Vin Gordon, and Chinna Smith on guitar, it would be a shock if the album were less than spectacular. And, in fact, it very rarely falls below that standard. The Manasseh remix of "No Burial" that closes the album is a particular highlight. Recommended. (allmusic.com)


Tracklisting:
01. African People
02. Babylon Bow
03. Stepping Out Of Babylon
04. No Burial
05. Wan Fi Go
06. Wicked Run
07. Glitter
08. Better Mus' Come
09. Days Of History
10. No Burial (Manasseh Remix) (Bonus CD Track)
Total time: 47:14