Originally released by Creole Records in 1978, “Roots, Rock Reggae” primarily served as a showcase vehicle for the most recent productions of Phil Mathias and his Big Phil label. Comprising 14 tracks of the highest quality, the album featured some of Jamaica’s leading talent, notably the In Crowd, Cornel Campbell, Sugar Minott, Delroy Wilson and Leroy Smart.Released in a number of countries around the globe, the LP proved a best-seller, but despite its popularity and rich musical content, it subsequently remained unavailable until the early 1990s when it was re-issued in Germany in limited numbers.Now, at long last, this superb collection of high quality roots reggae is made available once more, with its original track-listing augmented by the best of Mathias’s remaining productions from the period. Tracklist DISC ONE: ROOTS, ROCK REGGAE1. RIDING HIGH – The In Crowd2. MY COUNTRY – Cornel Campbell3. BLACK BEAUTY – The Mindbenders4. JAM UP, JAM DOWN – The Main Attractions5. LOVE AND HARMONY – Jah Stitch6. CONSIDER YOURSELF – Delroy Wilson7. A LONELY WALK – Albert Malawi8. IN THE RESIDENCE – Sugar Minott9. BABY MY LOVE – Fil Callender & The In Crowd *10. LOVE OF A WOMAN – King Miguel11. ONCE UPON A TIME – The Main Attractions12. MISERABLE WOMAN – Leroy Smart13. THINK ABOUT TOMORROW – Ranking Joe14. NEVER GET WEARY – Wellesley BrahamBONUS TRACKS15. WHY DON’T YOU COME ON – Bim Sherman16. BLOOD A GO RUN – Leroy Brown *17. SHADOW AFTER DARK – Devon Lyon *18. WISE MAN – Junior Dan #19. SO MANY TIMES – The Majestrians20. LIGHTNING AND THUNDER – Bim Sherman DISC 2: ISLAND MUSIC1. GOLDEN LOCKS – Bim Sherman2. RUNNING (12” MIX) – Devon Lyons +3. RED GOLD & GREEN (12” MIX) – Junior Dan +4. TOO SWEET TO LET GO (12” MIX) – The Studs +5. PRESS ALONG (12” MIX) – Wellesley Braham +6. NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR – Tony Tuff *7. WHEN YOU’RE SMILING (12” MIX) –Freddie McKay #8. HELP US JAH (12” MIX) –Leroy Brown & The Black Traps +9. ROAD TRAFFIC LAW (12” MIX) – Jah Ruby +10. NATTY DREAD A WEH SHE WANT (12” MIX) –George Fullwood *11. TRIBULATION (12” MIX) – Bim Sherman *12. KALLIE –Albert Malawi with Blood Relatives and Friends *13. ISLAND MUSIC – Fil Callendar Soundwave https://youtu.be/MsXO9s2CxD8
