Roots Archives Forum

Greetings massive,
A recent post about Lambert Douglas got me thinking...is Lambert soft or is he light roots? I think that there is a distinction between soft pop reggae and roots tunes that deal with serious matters in a light vocal style. Light roots albums that come to mind are Living Man by Lambert Douglas, Mysterious by Mystic Eyes, and Boat to Zion by the Maytones. I do love the heavy riddims, but every now and then I like a nice light roots tune. Have any favorite light roots tunes or artists?
Respect.

Very good subject! I dont really care for "Virgin" reggae (Congos will beat them anytime) but one thats good is "Dreadlocks The Time is Now" compilation by Gladiators on Virgin.

you ought to be punished for putting mystic eyes as light roots.. some soft riddims on mysterious.. but the heavy ones are so heavy that you forget all about the soft ones imo what makes a tune heavy or not is if its in minor key... maybe 1 out of 100 major key tunes i will enjoy but never as much as a good minor key tune!
Even though I listen to strictly reggae the past 15 years, Id rather listen to a Britney Spears or Robbie Williams tune in minor key than jackie mittoo or skatalites in major key.. no joke..

Must Eat Bread SOFT
Judgement Time HEAVY
Linger A While HEAVY
I'm Drifting SOFT
Born To Love Rastafari SOFT
Free Up The Ghetto Children HEAVY
One Jah Love For I HEAVY
Life Is Not Easy HEAVY
I Hold The Handle SOFT

marijuana is the healing of the nation

I like an equal balance in the morning of Heavy roots with a sprinkling of light roots, for a nice wholesome mix to top it off. ready for display !!

I agree, Mysterious is full of heavy killers ! Just listen to Judgement Time or Free up ghetto Children...

Light roots, I love that description. Is the other end of the spectrum hard love songs . Seriously, it's interesting how dynamics and lyrics can coincide or clash - sometimes effectively, sometimes not.

Hey,
Nice subject, because an important part (maybe even the half) of the reggae music form the late 70's, consisted of thoses tunes as you call "light roots".
mashdownfortyfive, you're right by saying that the deep roots tunes are all in minor keys and the light ones more in major, in my perception of the word "deep". But thoses tunes, the soft & happy ones were an integrant part, as I said, of the Jamaican music.
And maybe the fact that the most reggae tunes rememberded now a days, thoses who are played in sound systems, are the deep and melancholic one, is not really representative of the period we're refering to. Dub music created and played today are really only minor minor & minor, and that gives IMO a little bit a to much deep impression of reggae music.

Of course the deep productions of Pablo or any one, are creating such a deepness and meditative feeling that is hard to find somewhere else and that is good for the brain of mankind :)But the soft part of reggae music is also rich of learnings.

Maybe it's a society phenomenon that people are more "in need" or in want of minor keys in reggae, and regarding that there's no need to be claim "what a pity" as long as people found what they need in music, and that music can help them!

The Chantells, Lambert Douglas, Kiddus I & many Phase One or Rosso productions are some soft reggae...

Respect

Okay - Mysterious is not the best example, but mashdownfortyfive did a nice job of summarizing the tracks and there are a few light tunes. I would love to hear a reissue of this album!

I have not spent much time listening to the Heptones, but from what I recall, some of their tunes fall into the light category.
Peace.

mashdown,

ok, so what's your take on culture's two sevens clash:

calling rasta for i
i'm alone in the wilderness
pirate days
two sevens clash
i'm not ashamed

get ready to ride the lion to zion
black starliner must come
jah pretty face
see them a come
natty dread taking over

although not listening to these songs right now, from memory, they have sort of an upbeat feel to them but dread lyrics. care to comment or tag them major or minor. i'm not familiar with that mysterious lp as to use it as a reference.