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" Michael Rose - African Roots " Music Reviews
African Roots (M Records, 2005)
Though he never lost that distinctively mighty vocal style, Michael Rose's post-Black Uhuru albums have been rather on the spotty side. Up to now he's seemed to err more toward pleasing the dancehall/hip-hop massive with programmed riddims, skittish arrangements and tempos that didn't allow his thick, elastic voice to wrap around a song the way it should. Given that, perhaps the title of Rose's latest can be seen as something of a mission statement; African Roots is truly his rootsiest album yet. Like the recent Ranking Joe release for the same label (the two utilize some of the same backing tracks), this one was produced and mixed by dubmaster Ryan Moore, who takes a foundational approach of constructing smoky, slightly murky grooves that skank along unhurried, dropping in bits of echoey instrumentation among the prominent drums and bass and, most importantly, giving Rose's ominous but playful vocals the sort of framing they need. With songs that uplift Mother Africa and lash out against the wicked, Rose conjures up the same sort of cultural stance and razor-sharp edge that marked his early work for Niney the Observer as well as the initial stages of Black Uhuru. In addition to Moore's multi-instrumental backdrops, such noted players as Chinna Smith, Scully Sims, Style Scott, and Dean Fraser chip in, enriching the sound with their musical muscle. Rose's best album to date? I'd vote yes.
4.5 / 5
- Tom Orr
Reggae Reviews (Guest Review)
Michael Rose
African Roots
M Records/Fusion III
Canadian ex-pat musician/producer Ryan Moore has been working hard over the last decade to promote
roots reggae, networking with djs and promoters around the world to increase the profile of his
music as Twilight Circus Dub Sound System and his label M Records. In 2003 he hooked up with several
veteran vocalists for the "Foundation Rockers" disc and now Moore has produced full albums for two
of them, dj legend Ranking Joe ("World In Trouble") and former Black Uhuru vocalist Michael Rose.
Both discs feature all-star line-up of musicians including Bob Marley's guitarist Chinna Smith and
the Dub Syndicate's Style Scott. On the eve of returning to Black Uhuru for the first time since
their win of the Grammy for "Best Reggae Album" in 1985, Michael Rose was on fine vocal form, still
preaching the Rasta gospel over the vintage grooves of "Stepping Out Of Babylon" and "Wan Fi Go."
Moore's languid track for "No Burial" elicits the strongest vocal performance by Rose, which is
dubbed nicely by British producer Manasseh on the bonus remix.
Chris Twomey
Tandem / Corrier (Toronto, ON Canada)
July 3, 2005
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