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Artist
Black Roots
12+ albums
reggaeroots reggaedubrootsexperimental
about
Black Roots began their musical journey in 1979. They are based in the St Paul’s area of Bristol England. Jabulani Ngozi, one of the guitarists in the band, recalls in an interview he gave in 2004 to a French record label called Makasound, that Black Roots was formed by a group of friends that had known each other from the 60’s. They had been playing in different bands doing cover versions but after a discussion during a game of dominoes they decided to form their own band on condition that they only played original material and so Black Roots started to take shape. Often seemingly insignificant moments lead to the creation of a lasting musical legacy. Perhaps not one bathed in hit songs and top selling albums but one that within the genre of roots reggae music has lasted well over 30 years with a strong and loyal follwing. And who gave the band their first big break on national radio – none other than BBC Radio 1’s John Peel following the release of their first record Bristol Rock, a 4 track 12 inch vinyl offering, on their own label Nubian Records in 1981. John Peel said of the band ‘If anyone tells you that there is no such thing as good British reggae, first tell them that they are a ‘herbert’ and then listen to Black Roots.’ When Bristol Rock first hit the streets it received rave reviews and charted in the Reggae and Independent charts. Jon Futrell in Black Echoes was moved to say "quite simply, Black Roots are the next great hope for reggae in this country.’ S
