Roots Archives Forum

Okay, first off let me say I'm a diehard Roots Radics fan. I want to know what is your favorite backing band of all time and why.
Where other bands' piano/synth/lead guitar/rhythm guitar players were subdued and played a secondary role to the drum and bass the Radics players ALWAYS left asignature some where in the mix.
For example:
"Country Gal Dub" (King Tubby Meets Roots Radics)
"Love Is Universal" (Johnny Osbourne)
"Wicked She Wicked" (Billy Boyo)
"Tell Me What You Want To Be" (Little John/Billy Boyo with THE MOST OVERLOOKED DUB MIX IN HISTORY courtesy of The Professor on the flipside)
"Follow Fashion" (Sammy Dread)
"Lend Me The Hammer" (Barrington Levy)
...... The list goes on.

This is not to overlook the greatness of the Aggrovators/Revolutionaries, Sould Syndicate and all but you have to admitthe Radics' output of deep, dark roots and rub-a-dub was second to none.

Any nay-sayers?

I would say the Roots Radics as well. Tough and deep rhythms with a "take no prisoners"-approach.

Just check out the the Junjo produced Johnny Osbourne albums, the self-titled Hugh Mundell, the fire house rock with the wailing souls and a bunch of other great albums.

However one should also recognize other great backing bands such as The Upsetters, The Dynamites, The Hi-Times Band etc.

Revolutionaries Number 1, Seen.

It might be the Roots Radics for me, but I can't forget about all those hard Aggrovators/Revolutionaries riddims either. It seems to me that they had just as many unique riffs with the rhythm instruments (guitars, keys) as the Radics did.

Reggae history?

It's gotta be all the players of instruments at Studio 1 from the 1960's through the 70's.......

The Skatalites

The Soul Brothers

Soul Vendors

Sound Dimension

Soul Defenders

New Establishment

Brentford Road All Stars

ites deh
Lee is correct about history if yu mean reggae history,and for me tose guys from studio 1 are greatest and best players.after dat came roots radics,revolutionaries fe shore
respect everytime
Carlos

The Dynamites, The Crystalites, The GG Allstars, The Harry J Allstars, all with the fabulous Winston Wright...
What about Lynn Taitt & The Jets or The Supersonics (Winston Wright again) ?