The interview with Carlton Hines at http://www.reggae-vibes.com/ is long and very good. I particularly appreciate his expansive view of what 'roots' means, and feel there are certain people here who would do well to read it.
"Let me tell you. During the time when Tetrack came on the scene was a good time, for that type of music; roots music and that type of 'message music'. However I really have no idea how well the album did in terms of sales. I honestly don't think that I will ever know that. Anyhow, I would like to digress a little and say something about 'roots music'. 'Cause, to me, 'roots music' is not necessarily a music that is speaking about social injustice or truth and rights. To me roots music is a feel. A feel - the content is a different t'ing. Some of the wickedes' roots tune a come out of Jamaica don't carry no message about social injustice or anything like that. Songs like 'Ten To One' (by the Mad Lads) 'pa pa ta da daaa'. 'Ten To One', classic roots tune, seen. Tune like 'spa ba dap spa spaaa ya' 'Please Be True' by Alexander Henry, some tough tune, 'Drifter' by Dennis Walks and a whole heap a Heptones tune 'Pretty Looks', one of the wickedest riddim. Must also mention 'Queen of the Minstrel' by the Eternals. These weren't message songs about social injustice or economic and political struggles. It was the feel of the music, the vibe you get from these songs. There was somet'ing 'bout the music that is so different an' it's so authentic. That to me, is roots music. And at the same time you'd have roots music also that would 'ave the whole social comment t'ing, fighting against 'downpression', the MESSAGE, like the ones you get from Burning Spear for example and Wailing Souls and nuff other artists in that time. So you 'ave it all kinda way. Yeah. That is how I see roots music. It's the music, the feel, rather than the content/lyrics of the music that makes the music 'roots'."