Trojan Box Set: Roots CD

"Unlike other forms of Jamaican music, 'Roots Reggae' has no precise definition," state the skimpy sleeve notes to this budget-priced three-CD box set. That well may be, but most fans would sum up roots as a late-'70s style exemplified by such crucial acts as the Wailers, Black Uhuru, the Wailing Souls, and Burning Spear. None of those artists are included here, thus anyone looking for a round-up of roots' most famed classic cuts should search elsewhere. Trojan has chosen to define roots less in musical terms than in lyrical ones. Therefore, while the message is pure dread, the songs run riot across the musical spectrum from bubbly reggae, rockers, nyahbinghi-laced numbers, through heavy roots, and onto dubby dancehall. Absolutely no thought is given to sequencing, unless the selector deliberately set about mixing up the different styles as much as possible. Placing one's CD player on shuffle normally improves upon the original sequencing. However, regardless of these drawbacks, Trojan Box Set: Roots is a weighty collection, 50 songs strong, with a wealth of roots sure to please most aficionados. Seminal inclusions are Johnny Clarke's "None Shall Escape the Judgement," Prince Far I's "Under Heavy Manners," the Abyssinians' "Yim Mas Gas," Dennis Brown's "Africa," and the Ethiopians' "Condition Bad a Yard." There's also a clutch of excellent Mighty Diamonds and Heptones cuts, and exceptional offerings from Big Youth, Sugar Minott, and Cornel Campbell. Although not the ultimate roots collection by any means, this box does manage to encompass the fluidity of the roots genre, rounding up a wealth of crucial material neglected elsewhere, with the inclusion of DJs particularly inspired, and opening new vistas to the mainstream, hopefully leading listeners to further broaden their horizons. ~ Jo-Ann Greene

What makes Trojan Roots & Culture Box Set, a three-disc, 50-track box set from the vaults of Trojan Records especially delightful is that the selections aren't the same old sides that show up over and over again in roots reggae collections. Trojan has packed this thing with relatively rare cuts recorded between 1975 and 1983, including some extended mixes with DJ and dub sections, and the result should especially please listeners who may already have a decent roots reggae collection on their shelves. Among the highlights are Johnny Clarke's airy "Warrior" and a pair of Lee "Scratch" Perry productions, "Babylon de Pon Fire" by Truth, Fact & Correct, and the majestic "Africa" by Winston Heywood & the Hombres on disc one (subtitled "Don't Cut Off Your Dreadlocks -- Conscience Reggae 1975 to 1977"), while on disc two (subtitled "To the Foundations -- Rebel Music 1977 to 1979") there's Freddie McGregor's fine "Zion Chant" and Niney's loping "Confusion in a Babylon." Bim Sherman's deceptively delicate "Lightning and Thunder," and the Heptones' Leroy Sibbles' dub-laced "Jah Far I on a Pinnacle" appear on disc three (subtitled "Free Up Rasta -- Dancehall Roots 1979 to 1983"). ~ Steve Leggett

All tracks have been digitally remastered.

3cds-Heptones/Viceroys/Velvet Shadows/Sugar Minott/Max Romeo