SOUNDS LIKE ROOTS

Good vibrations reigned at Roots in 2006 for all kinds of reasons. One of them was the release in July of the CD The Roots of Reggae, part of the “Roots of…” music series of recordings launched in late 2005 with The Roots of Motown.

Produced by Michael Budman, in conjunction with Universal Music, The Roots of Reggae was inspired by his great affinity for Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae and one of the inspirations behind the creation of Roots in 1973.

The 18-track CD showcased the biggest names in reggae including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Peter Tosh, and Gregory Isaacs. Many of the greatest reggae anthems of all time are on this CD, such as Sun is Shining; Wonderful World, Beautiful People; The Harder They Come; You Can Get It If You Really Want and Many Rivers To Cross. The liner notes were written by Grammy Award-winning ethnomusicologist Rob Bowman.

The success of The Roots of Reggae mirrored the sales of The Roots of Motown. Next up in the series will be The Roots of Soul, in February 2007.