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CULTURAL ROOTS
HELL A GO POP...
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1984 - Greensleeves - studio
- discs:1
Cultural Roots is an almost fogotten harmony group. In 1980 they released their debut album called "Revolutionary Sounds" and two years later they released "Drift Away From Evil" (both produced by Donovan Germain). Produced and arranged by Henry "Junjo" Lawes, "Hell A Go Pop" (1984) was their third effort. What they deliver is a deep Roots spiced set, with the heavy bass underlining every track. Cultural Roots were Hubert Brooks, Norman Gallimore and Wade Dice. The group lineup changed during the years, but it was always led by the great warm voice of Brooks. This musically accurate set was recorded at Channel One Studios with Soljie (Anthony Hamilton) engineering. The Roots Radics back Cultural Roots, and the horns are provided by the great Dean Fraser and Nambo Robinson (also known as Ronald Robinson). The strongest songs are: "Hell A Go Pop", "Every Man Has A Right", "Execute", "Thief, Liars And Criminals", "Where Have You Been", "Reggae Music" and finally "Love Feelings" (versioning John Holt's evergreen and powerful "Police In Helicopter"). The remaining three tracks are: the Lover's heavily Roots spiced "Tell It To Her", "Won't Co-operate" (frankly the less impressive) and "Lump Sum". This re-release contains two bonus tracks as 12" mixes ("Hell A Go Pop" and "Love Feelings"). In ten tracks Cultural Roots expressed a heavy Roots statement inside the Dancehall early 80's era. The result is powerful musical force. In this case we have a great set constructed around 70's style harmonies, and this recipe of 70's and 80's is marvellous.
yardie-reggae.com - 2007