Survival Is The Game

Come Down Zacchius

In July 1984, Black Roots released their second album, The Front Line, on vinyl and cassette.

The title track of this album, ‘Frontline’, was the theme song for the BBC Television sitcom that ran for one series by the same name.  It is a story of 2 brothers who are constantly fighting like ‘cat and dog’ and the reason is that one is a police man and the other a dreadlocks man, both living together in the same house.  Their life styles are such opposites that they can never agree about anything.  And this clash of lifestyles is what informs the comedy that unfolds.

Unfortunately it is not deemed a success and it does not make it past that the first series of 6 episodes for a longer run.  However, it is a positive experience for Black Roots as it introduces the band to a wider audience and affords the opportunity to release and promote another album release.

Now on 15th July 2014, almost 30 years to the day since it was first released, Nubian Records, is releasing this set as part its program of uploading and making its back catalogue available for download.

In addition to the original classic tracks that originally made up this album, like ‘War’, ‘Struggling’ and ‘Blackheart Man’, Nubian have added 2 bonus tracks, ‘Chanting For Freedom’ and’ Confusion’.  Although these 2 tracks were originally released on 12” vinyl in 1981, as the follow up to the ‘Bristol Rock EP’ they never featured on any of the early albums.

The Front Line

Chanting For Freedom

Buy @ Bandcamp

Pablo Moses - Music Is My Desire (discomix) 10"

The Crystalites - Stranger in Town / Sleng Teng Extravaganza riddim mix - 1985 Master Mega Hits Jammy records digi dancehall / Victor Rice and Mercurias - Carregar / Hugh Mundell - Great Tribulation / Twinkle Brothers - Rasta P'on Top / Kibir La Amlak - Mental Freedom / Daba Makourejah feat Mahom dub - Ganja Tree

5 Twinkle Brothers - Rasta P'on Top

Buy on Bandcamp

Tambour Trinité - Magigador

We go reason

New 10" on ROOTIKAL DUBPLATE ARCHIVE records. 
Never heard before mix, from Jah Thomas' Midnight Rock . 


Michael Palmer 'I'm Still Dancing' Dubplate Vocal

Love & Livity - Jewels
7" Leggo Sounds 1979

Love & Livity - Jewels

Carry on

Carry on - Vivian Jones

Six Babylon

Jah Jah Dreader Than Dread

“Black Roots”, the eponymously named debut album, was originally released in 1983 on Kick Records, by which time the band was established as one of the UK's leading live acts with a strong repertoire of socially aware songs reflecting the issues of the day. When it came to their first album, they chose eight of their strongest tracks and assembled what was to become one of the classic British reggae albums of the decade.

Featuring 8 songs “The Father”, “Survival”, “Juvenile Delinquent”, “What Them 'A Do”, “Opportunity”, “Tribal War”, “Africa” and “Move On”, the album covers themes of social alienation, deprivation, repatriation, RastafarI, violence within the black community and ends, with the tale of a failing relationship. Three decades later, many of the songs are just as relevant and provide the perfect complement to their latest recordings.

It was re-issued Bristol Archive Records on vinyl in 22nd April 2013 to coincide with Record Store Day.  The release on vinyl was strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide. 400 copies were made be available for Record Store Day, 22nd April 2013, at participating retailers and feature a facsimile of the original sleeve, whilst 100 copies will be available directly from Bristol Archive Records and very select retailers and feature a unique handmade screen printed sleeve as well as being individually numbered, a very special edition.

This was the first time that this album was available on vinyl for twenty-five years and demand outstripped supply.

This release was made available by Nubian Records on digital platforms. Here is an opportunity to stream or download either this song or the full album that is still in great demand from old and new fans alike.

Jah Jah Dreader Than Dread

Linval Thompson

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