Roots Garden Showcase part 2

featured on the 2009 release 
Roots garden records 
“Showcase Part 2”

( issued on 12" vinyl and digital download)

Produced and mixed by Nick Manasseh 
featuring: Freddie McGregor, Danny Red, Ras Zacharri, 
Earl 16 and Soothsayers Horns

Catalogue number RGR:SC002

Tracks 5 & 6
Freddie McGregor started his career in the mid sixties aged 7, as backing singer for legendary Jamaican vocal group The Clarendonians. Becoming a mainstay at Coxsone Dod’s Studio One facility, he spent much of the 70’s there, working as a session drummer, backing vocalist and solo artist. In 1975, embracing the Rasta faith, his music started to take a more cultural and spiritual theme. Around this time he started to work with other Jamaican producers and musicians like: Niney the Observer, Earl Chinna Smith and Soul Syndicate, recording such hits as: "Mark of the Beast," "Sergeant Brown," "Jogging," "Natural Collie“, "Africa Here I Come," and  his 1980 land mark Studio One LP "Bobby Bobylon". Freddie continued to adapt into the 80’s, soon becoming an international star with tracks like: “Big Ship” , “Push Come to Shove” and the UK chart topping “Just Don’t Want to be Lonely”. After a short spell with Polydor records, Freddie established his own “Big Ship” label in 1989. He continues to be one of Jamaica’s best loved veteran artists, still producing, performing and writing, scoring  hit tunes in every decade.

Manasseh revives Bob Skengs “The Lion” rhythm (RGR:SC001) this time with the addition of acoustic guitar, flute and Nyahbinghi hand drums, featuring UK percussionist Jonah Dan.
Freddie reworks his Studio One  late 70s classic “Run Come Rally” (aka “Rastaman Camp”) on the rhythm. Spiritually charged lyrics are the order of the day for this “Twelve Tribes of Israel” anthem. Freddie manages to recapture the mystical vibes that made this such a popular UK sound system favourite the first time round. Earl Sixteen’s sweet tones join in for backing on the choruses, bringing added majesty to the song.

Roots Garden Showcase Part 2

Freddie McGregor - "Rally" / Manasseh "Rally Version"

featured on the 2009 release 
Roots garden records 
“Showcase Part 2”

( issued on 12" vinyl and digital download)

Produced and mixed by Nick Manasseh 
featuring: Freddie McGregor, Danny Red, Ras Zacharri, 
Earl 16 and Soothsayers Horns

Catalogue number RGR:SC002

Tracks 1 & 2
Danny Red started his recording career in Kingston Jamaica 1983, but it was not until the early nineties that Danny found success in the UK roots scene. Teaming up with the producer Nick Manasseh together they wrote and voiced the seminal “Be Grateful“. Following the huge success of this and other tracks, Danny was voted the best roots artist 94 & 95 as well as being the first roots artist to be signed to Columbia records for 25 years during 1995.

Fast forward to 2008 and Danny  and Nick are back in the studio together with the musical vibes flowing stronger than ever. Danny wastes no time jumping on board this rootsy and anthemic “steppers” rhythm complete with Nyahbinghi hand drums and live horn section - courtesy of Jonah Dan and Soothsayers Horns. Danny sings words of warning to any conspirators and back biters that claim say they know his business.
Manasseh unleashes an upfull and dance floor friendly dubwise version.


You Don't Know

Danny Red - "You Don't Know" / Manasseh - "A Knowing Version"

featured on the 2009 release 
Roots garden records 
“Showcase Part 2”

( issued on 12" vinyl and digital download)

Produced and mixed by Nick Manasseh 
featuring: Freddie McGregor, Danny Red, Ras Zacharri, 
Earl 16 and Soothsayers Horns

Catalogue number RGR:SC002

Tracks 7 & 8
Earl 16 started his singing career in the mid 70s, with his distinctive, nasal delivery and steadfast conscious messages,  Earl has been a part of the international reggae landscape for three decades. Both in Jamaica and his current London home, Earl always finds just the right producer or team to elicit the rootsy music framework his voice deserves. This has lead to landmark collaborations with the likes of: Lee Scratch Perry, Studio One, Augustus Pablo, Dreadzone, Mikey Dread, Gussie P, 
Mafia and Fluxy, Mad Professor and countless others. 
With scores of hit tunes under his belt such as: “Malcolm X“, “Cheating“, “Freedom“, “Reggae Sound“, “Natural Roots Man“, “Trials and Crosses“, “Julia“, and  the massive Studio One hit “Love is a Feeling”.
Earl continues to be one of reggae’s most in demand, prolific singers, writers and performers on the scene. 

Manasseh reworks a previously unreleased rhythm originally recorded by little known artists “Poet Armagideon” at Jamaica’s Channel One studio in the early 80’s. The original version having been heard only as an underground sound system dubplate. 

He brings this rockers style rhythm track into the 21st century, still retaining those “Scientist” and “Roots Radics” sounds from 
reggaes heyday!
Earl 16’s natural tones make the song his own as he sings praises of his homeland, taking you on a journey through the hills of Jamaica. Complete with tropical bird sounds and full length dubwise version.

Gold Dust

Earl 16 - "Gold Dust" / Manasseh " Herb Dust"

featured on the 2009 release 
Roots garden records 
“Showcase Part 2”

( issued on 12" vinyl and digital download)

Produced and mixed by Nick Manasseh 
featuring: Freddie McGregor, Danny Red, Ras Zacharri, 
Earl 16 and Soothsayers Horns

Catalogue number RGR:SC002

Track 4
London based acclaimed musicians “Soothsayers Horns” are  renowned for their fusion of Afro Beat , Reggae, Dub and Funk, working extensively with such artists as: Michael Prophet, Johnny Clarke, Cedric im Brooks, Rico Rodriguez and Jerry Dammers, as well as a whole host of World, Jazz and Pop artists. 
Tackling the same rhythm track as Ras Zacharri, they dispel all cultural and racial boundaries with the poignantly titled “Salaam Shalom” reminding us of the unifying qualities of reggae music. Driving Horn riffs and powerful refrains create an uplifting instrumental, bound to please both revival and contemporary fans alike!


Roots Garden Showcase part 2

Roots Garden records