Roots People Music vol. 4
Reviewed by Sadie O., 1/17/08
Very fine roots rock Reggae comp of new tunes by a variety of singers. There are some big dancehall names, some folks who’ve been going since the Rock Steady days, and a few new folks I hadn’t heard of before – but all roots rock style. Tons of terrific material on here, helps to make up for the slim pickins lately. Naturally, this is a UK label…
No FCCs detected. Best stuff IMO – Disk 1, tracks 2, 9, 12 and esp. 16, disk 2, tracks 7, 16 and esp. 11.
Disk 1:
1. 4:22 **slightly downtempo roots skank, rather gruff dancehall vocals.
2. 3:32 ****forceful midtempo skank, Turbulence’s signature crazed yelling contrasting with pretty female backing vocals.
3. 3:44 ***slightly downtempo complex electronic skank, Michael Rose’s fine singing.
4. 3:56 *acoustic guitar and humming intro, very relaxed rootsy vibe.
5. 3:59 **same acoustic guitar riddim, Sizzla’s dancehall growl.
6. 4:00 **bit of spoken preaching, then upbeat midtempo electronic bubble, pleasant dancehall.
7. 3:54 ***very rootsy skank, Luciano’s lovely singing.
8. 3:40 ***forceful syncopated skank, duet between two great singers.
9. 3:58 ****strong downtempo skank, very attractive baritone vocals.
10. 3:40 **midtempo electronic slide whistle riddim, soulful female singing. Dubby bits at end.
11. 3:47 ***same slide whistle riddim, largely spoken vocals.
12. 4:02 ****forceful skank with dubby bits, great singer. Wild remake of a Wailers hit.
13. 3:19 **downtempo skank, multiple voices.
14. 3:12 ***rootsy skank, gorgeous singing.
15. 3:42 **downtempo dubby skank with lots of electronics, police harassment lyrics.
16. 3:28 *****downtempo horn line intro, cool dubby skank, more gorgeous singing, overtly anti-Christian lyrics.
17. 3:54 ***midtempo stepping razor riddim, good remake of the Burning Spear hit.
18. 3:35 **slightly downtempo skank, quavery singing, very roots.
19. 3:32 ***midtempo skank with lots of interesting sounds, singer with great range.
20. 3:50 **rootsy skank, strong dancehall vocals.

Disk 2:
1. 3:59 *acoustic guitar and preaching intro, then choir, slow nyahbinghi drums and electronic beat.
2. 4:03 **same riddim, more interesting vocals, sort of a combination of dancehall and singing.
3. 2:51 **downtempo skank with tingy piano, very pretty vocal harmonies.
4. 2:46 **same riddim, fine rootsy vocals (same cut is on Earl Sixteen’s own CD).
5. 2:54 *downtempo skank, a bit muffled sounding with dubby bits, pretty singing (rather obnoxious message!)
6. 2:58 ***downtempo skank, fine vocals, strong message.
7. 3:40 ****fun bloopy midtempo bubble. Gregory doesn’t have the voice he used to, but it’s an interesting sound.
8. 3:35 ***midtempo electronic skank, strong dancehall vocals.
9. 3:40 ***downtempo nyahbinghi groove with prominent vocals by Michael Rose.
10. 3:52 ***midtempo electronic bounce, “Get Up Stand Up” vibe, quite sweet vocals from Sizzla.
11. 3:48 *****midtempo skank, wild dancehall vocals. Turbulence KILLS!
12. 3:33 ***downtempo skank, sweet and rootsy, old school vocal trio style. Dubby bits.
13. 2:29 *downtempo skank, cover of a rather crap old US pop hit – but Horance Andy still has a fine voice.
14. 3:24 ***long electronic intro, then really fun downtempo electronic skank, dancehall vocals.
15. 2:58 **downtempo bubble, pretty love song to pot.
16. 3:32 ****midtempo electronic dubby bubble, cool peacenik song. Extra star for the cool dub bits.
17. 3:39 **midtempo (often used) riddim, hard time story lyrics.
18. 3:27 **midtempo electronic bubble, sweet-voiced cover of the Wailers classic.
19. 3:44 ***downtempo electronic skank, Horace Andy’s sweet quavery singing.
20. 3:23 ***downtempo nyahbinghi skank, gruff baritone vocals. Long fade.