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.
Disc 1 – Roots Rock Reggae
1. The In Crowd – Riding High
2. Cornel Campbell – My Country
3. The Mindbenders – Black Beauty
4. The Main Attraction – Jam Up, Jam Down
5. Jah Stitch – Love And Harmony
6. Delors Wilson – Consider Yourself
7. Albert Malawai – A Lonely Walk
8. Sugar Minott – In The Residence
9. Fil Callendar – Baby My Love
10. King Miguel – Love Of A Woman
11. The Main Attractions – Once Upon A Time
12. Leroy Smart – Miserable Woman
13. Ranking Joe – Think About Tomorrow
14. Wellesley Braham – Never Get Weary
15. Bim Sherman – Why Won’t You Come On (12” mix)
16. Leroy Brown – Blood A Go Run
17. Devon Lyon – Shadow After Dark
18. Junior Dan – Wise Man
19. The Majestrians – So Many Times
20. Bim Sherman – Lightning And Thunder
Disc 2 – Island Music
1. Bim Sherman – Golden Locks
2. Devon Lyon & Jah Thomas – Running (12” mix)
3. Junior Dan – Red Gold And Green (12” mix)
4. The Studds – Too Sweet To Let Go (12” mix)
5. Wellesley Braham – Press Along (12” mix)
6. Tony Tuff – Next Door Neighbour
7. Freddie McKay & Trinity – When Your Smiling (12” mix)
8. Leroy Brown – Help Us Jah (12” mix)
9. Jah Ruby – Road Traffic Law (12” mix)
10. George Fullwood – Natty Dread A Wen She Want (12” mix)
11. Bim Sherman – Tribulation (12” mix)
12. Albert Malawi – Kallie
13. Fil Callender – Island Music
