Desi Roots: missed opportunity - so far

[vlad]

Now, here is an artist that is being forgotten in the re-issue program.

Guess no one has yet gotten a hand on repressing the Hawkeye stuff?

In addition:

Can't find a single video of Desi Roots live. Amazing. Did he just never get caught on ANY tape way back then? Nothing on the tube. Weird.

Yet, this is really a great talent, with mostly top class tunes.

[jayb]

"Weedfields" and "Uptown rebel" (Hawkeye 12") are two of my long time favourite twelves. Originally issued on separate Hawkeye releases, they came out they eventually came out back to back on the same 12".

I think he is one and the same as Desmond Young - which means he's also responsible for the great "Warning" on Capricorn/fe me time

[j j]

http://www.ebreggae.com/ItemDetails.asp?FE=y&ID=114369

http://www.ebreggae.com/ItemDetails.asp?FE=y&ID=45660

Weedfields & Uptown Rebel have also been reissued afew years back on 7".

j j

[Billy Boom]

Whole bag a respect to all involved in the repress business, but those Desi reissues j j mentions are a classic example of something that drives me mad: 12" discos reissued on 7". Even if the B side of the original release features a dreck tune, I'd still much prefer a 12" with a blank side than to have a decapitated discomix on a 7". Time gone past when I was happy to just have a hard to find record in any format. Discomix is the greatest format for reggae singles to me and it rankles my ears to hear them mangled. /endrant

Back to Desi Roots. I agree that his first two LPs should see reissue. It's been years since I listened to mp3 rips but I remember them both as excellent albums, with Doing It Right as the stronger of the two. I don't think either is exceptionally rare but they both have remained expensive for many years.

Edit: I just noticed Weed Fields was first released on 7". Still, Weedfields b/w Uptown Rebel on a repress 12" would be ideal.

[Rootsman]

http://www.discogs.com/Desi-Roots-Doing ... se/2559530

I`ve got this in my collection and I know its a "Cornfed Bootleg" but its superb and the sound quality is spot on.

Definitely worth keeping an eye out for this one until the day comes that his material gets reissued.

Think I paid about £8.00 for my copy which I think was a steal when you look at the track list.

[Max]

The *Fe-Me-Time* version of *Warning* has been reissued on 7" as well, just like most of the other tunes on the *Keep The Pressure Down* LP.

[vlad]

Thanks. All these messages confirm that re/issuing Desi Roots material properly is long overdue.

Where is he? Alive? Why no live material on the tube? Did he ever tour?

Billy Boom: spot on regarding the 7" re-issue. Same crap was done to Mighty Diamonds' Gates of Zion, until Greensleeves finally re-issued in perfectly mastered 12" probably using original stampers.

[j j]

are a classic example of something that drives me mad: 12" discos reissued on 7"

I know what you mean ;(

j j

[Return of Jesco]

Mind you I used to get mad at 12" discos which were just one vocal on one side and one dub on the other, no better than a 7".

[Billy Boom]

Mind you I used to get mad at 12" discos which were just one vocal on one side and one dub on the other, no better than a 7".

That type of 12" single is ok to repress on 7", even preferable. I don't think they qualify as discos without a dub or singer followed by DJ on the a-side. I call them wishcomixes.