On The Front Line

Britain's premier reggae outfit gets the two-for treatment with On the Frontline. Somewhat less feted than their compatriots Aswad, Steel Pulse, and Matumbi, Black Roots were omnipresent from the moment of their formation in 1979, leaving their Wolverhampton home for the joys of gigging round the nation. Their grueling touring schedule slowed their recording career, and it wasn't until 1983 that Roots' debut, eponymous album arrived. Understandably a clutch of tracks were older numbers, with a pair taken from an earlier EP, but even the newer material sounded deliberately dated, as the band explored the wonders of Jamaica's fast fading roots scene. Yet as true to the island sound as they were, Black Roots gave it their own distinctive twist, via their signature vocal arrangements and surfy guitar leads. By the time their sophomore set, The Frontline, arrived the following year, however, the group were already modernizing their sound. Moving deep into Junjo Lawes territory, Black Roots now boasted a starker styling, heavier and dubbier productions, whilst simultaneously exploring steppers territory to great effect. On the Frontline, however, makes these sometimes subtle shifts moot, as the set intermixes numbers from both sets. Still, the sequencing is sympathetic, and this compilation beautifully holds together as an album on its own terms. Even better, all the numbers from both sets are included, unlike say The Frontline reissues. Thankfully, Black Roots were never signed to that label, nor was their album titled in reference to it, but to the BBC series whose theme song the band composed and performed. A classic roots and culture band, one of Britain's best, now back by popular demand. ~ Jo-Ann Greene|