Dukes Of Roots' self-titled debut album bridges continents and generations
Dukes Of Roots' debut album titled “Duke Of Roots”, bridges continents and generations.
Dukes Of Roots has produced a reggae revival album, not just in sound but in spirit.
With a global lineup, featuring the Congolese vocal maestro Mermans Mosengo and Jamaica's own legends George “Fully” Fullwood, Courtney Diedrick, and Sean Diedrick, this ensemble breathes new life into roots reggae.
T Rod's lyrical and guitar prowess ties the band's roots revival sound together, crafting an album that’s both a nod to the past and a step into the future of reggae.
The Dukes Of Roots album showcases a diverse lineup of features which the band meshes brilliantly with showing their diversity and adaptability.
Stephen Marley on the chilled, hope filled and thoughtful "Stick With Love," encouraging the idea of his father, the legend, Bob Marley, that love conquers all. Tarrus Riley brings his reviving energy to "Pressure Drop" the classic Toots and the Maytals anthem.
The always impressive Kabaka Pyramid features in "Feel The Love (Remix)" where his rich unforgettable vocals flow give a new vibe to this tune. The album features Natiruts on "Try Happy," an upbeat song with the intention to uplift the listener. As well as Titi Tsira on the cover of the Johnny Nash classic "I Can See Clearly Now".
A personal favourite song of mine is "Tosh," featuring Andrew Tosh. Duke Of Roots, roots riddims, choppy impactful drums and cool electric guitar solos make this beat memorable.
“Tosh” serves as a poignant tribute to Andrew Tosh’s father, the legend, Peter Tosh, a trailblazing figure in reggae music, who was tragically murdered on September 11, 1987. The song delves into the grief and injustice surrounding Peter Tosh's death, questioning the nature of the violence against a man who "gifted the world like no other with music and wisdom."
The hard hitting chorus, "Everyone is crying out for peace, But I want justice." is not just a personal plea but a reflection on what Peter Tosh himself would have championed for his people and country, suggesting the theft of his musical genius was also a theft from his nation.
I also really enjoyed the slow rhythmic sounds of "John Punch (remake)” featuring Darius Rucker’s vocals, with the mix of drums and flute, Duke of Roots creates a unique sound. "John Punch (remake)” takes a darker turn, exploring the sombre chapters of history through the lens of America's first documented slave.
Duke of Roots and Rucker’s soulful delivery and the poignant storytelling underscore reggae's role as a medium for social commentary and historical reflection.
It was fantastic to see the mythic Scientist on “Duke Of Roots”, with “Cross the Rubicon (Dub by Scientist). The dubby sounds take you on an echoey reverb journey where you can get lost in the mesh of sounds that surround your psyche. I enjoyed listening to this track softly rocking in my hammock between two pine trees with the warm sun shining softly as the beats warmed my soul.
The debut album "Duke Of Roots" by Dukes Of Roots stands as a compelling revival of reggae, masterfully merging the genre's traditional essence with modern elements and demonstrating their impressive ability to collaborate with a variety of artists.
The album, with tracks that both rejuvenate classics and introduce new themes of love, unity, and justice, serves as a dynamic testament to reggae's capacity to inspire and bring people together. Seamlessly interconnected, the songs not only honour reggae's historical roots but also expand its horizons, signalling a noteworthy advancement for the genre.
By Luka H.
