Greg Fenton reviews Roots Rock Rebels – When Punk Met Reggae 1975-1982 – Cherry Red Records
Another brilliantly realised compilation from the team at Cherry Red readily captures that sense of creative excitement, as if anything could happen – and it did – in the highly charged atmospheres surrounding the late seventies to the early eighties.
As music captures timeframes, those moments of where, what, and when you were engaged in life, and listening back to lots of these tracks reminds me inevitably of John Peel from 10 pm every weekday and his fiery, informed playlist of what was new. The selection spread amply across three discs features a cosmopolitan mix of British artists from the reggae school alongside acts influenced by those same styles and techniques. Breathing influences into the mix, in turn inspiring fresh alternatives. You will hear home-grown music from Burning Spear and Steel Pulse likewise from The Clash, Generation X, and their electrifying Wild Dub, The Pop Group, and The Specials giving you a flavour of what’s in store.
If you can call it crossover or more simply having open minds, soaking up what you hear on the airwaves, then you’ll enjoy Graham Parker & The Rumour – Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions and also PIL’s seminal Poptones. I can’t remember hearing Angelic Upstarts – Different Dub at the time but glad I’ve got to hear it now. Maybe that will be your experience too in terms of being introduced and it’s that crisscross of information that will also provide the joy to behold across this excellent selection: Roots Rock Rebels.
Release: July 19
Buy Roots Rock Rebels at Cherry Red Records
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