Since 1979, Black Roots has been one of those groups that have written reggae history. With "Nothing In The Larder" (June 2021), these legends continue, with their 40 years of career and experience, to share their roots reggae music.
Their lyrics, always engaged, denounce injustices as well as the functioning of economic and social life in the world.
Black Roots will be on a European tour in 2022, to defend its latest opus and spread its music and messages without compromise!
Formed in 1979, Black Roots exploded onto the Roots Reggae scene in 1981 when John Peel, the legendary DJ on BBC Radio 1, showcased their debut EP on his show, hailing them as one of the best new reggae bands in the UK. Their unique brand of roots reggae drew in people seeking to find a voice that spoke out against the injustices and alienation caused by the pace of political reform introduced in Thatcherite Britain. Black Roots’ uncompromising lyrical content was that voice throughout the 80’s.
From these beginnings, the band toured the United Kingdom extensively playing clubs, colleges, venues and universities, and made regular appearances at Glastonbury, WOMAD, Elephant Fayre and other major festivals. They broke into the European circuit following a support slot in 1984 on UB40’s European tour; made several radio and television appearances and released several albums in this period (‘Black Roots’, ‘The Frontline’, ‘In Session’, ‘All Day All Night’, ‘Natural Reaction’, ‘With Friends and ‘the Dub Factor series’). But it all went quiet for the band in the early 1990s. The band seem to slide off the ends of the earth and nothing happens for over 10 years.
However, their loyal fans continue to search out their music and it is this loyalty that leads to their re-emergence, engineered by Makasound (France) after they approached the band, licensed and reissued some of their back catalogue ‘On the Frontline’ in 2004 and ‘In Session’ in 2007. This was followed by 2 more reissues in 2011 on Bristol Archive Records (UK) a compilation of their singles ‘The Reggae Singles Anthology’ and a reissue on CD of ‘All Day All Night’ with bonus tracks.
But most importantly the band started to record new original material and in 2012 they released ‘On the Ground’ on Sugar Shack Records (UK). It is their first original studio album in over 20 years and is followed up by 2 more releases of original material on Soulbeats Records (France) ‘Ghetto Feel’ 2014 and ‘Son of Man’ 2016. These recordings have struck a chord highlighting once again the alienation and injustices that are emerging in Europe today as it swings inexorably to the right and people’s rights are being eroded away.
The band continues to produce more original music and went back into the studio in December 2017 to record and produce 22 songs at Portishead’s J&J Studio in Bristol employing the mixing talents of Louis Beckett. The first album from this session, ‘Take It’ came out on the band’s own label Nubian Records in collaboration with French independent label Khanti Records in November 2018. The second, ‘Nothing in the Larder’ releases on the 4th, June 2021 in partnership with Take It Easy Agency and Inouie Distribution, also based in France.
Nubian Records have also begun working with Real Rock Records in Italy to release a number of 7” vinyl limited edition vinyl pressings from their extensive back catalogue throughout 2021 and 2022. The first of these are ‘Juvenile Delinquent/Dub the Youth’ and ‘What Them A Do/Jah Jah Dub’. These tracks were produced and mixed by Dub Judah and first appeared on the albums ‘With Friends’ and ‘Dub Factor 2 – The Dub Judah Mixes’ that were released in the early 1990’s.
They are also performing live delivering that conscious and uncompromising message with those harmonic vocals backed by a deep melodic roots reggae rhythm that makes them so unique. The band have performed selected gigs in UK (Bristol Veg Fest, Glastonbury Festival, ATP I'll Be Your Mirror...) and Europe like (Ostroda Festival (P), Octopode (CH), Sardaigne Reggae Festival (IT), Rototom Sunsplash (ES), Dour, Afro C (BE), Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Bagnols Reggae Festival, Cabaret Sauvage, Reggae Sun Ska (FR).
They are back on the road in 2022 to defend on stage their latest opus, "Nothing In The Larder", a new show that will delight both its early fans and new ones.
Tour announced soon!