African Roots by Michael Rose (A Twilight Circus Production)

......African Roots is truly his rootsiest album yet. Like the recent Ranking Joe release for the same label (the two utilize some of the same backing tracks), this one was produced and mixed by dubmaster Ryan Moore, who takes a foundational approach of constructing smoky, slightly murky grooves that skank along unhurried, dropping in bits of echoey instrumentation among the prominent drums and bass and, most importantly, giving Rose's ominous but playful vocals the sort of framing they need. With songs that uplift Mother Africa and lash out against the wicked, Rose conjures up the same sort of cultural stance and razor-sharp edge that marked his early work for Niney the Observer as well as the initial stages of Black Uhuru. In addition to Moore's multi-instrumental backdrops, such noted players as Chinna Smith, Scully Sims, Style Scott, and Dean Fraser chip in, enriching the sound with their musical muscle. Rose's best album to date? I'd vote yes. - Tom Orr

Tracklist

1.	African People	4:21

2.	Babylon Bow	4:36

3.	Stepping Out Of Babylon	4:27

4.	No Burial	5:02

5.	Wan Fi Go	4:34

6.	Wicked Run	3:54

7.	Glitter	4:40

8.	Better Mus' Come	4:43

9.	Days Of History	4:24

10.	No Burial (Manasseh Remix)	6:31

Credits

released May 12, 2005

Produced & Mixed By Ryan Moore

Drums – Style Scott
Guitar – Chinna Smith
Keyboards – Franklin Bubbler Waul
Percussion – Skully Simms, Norman Grant
Saxophone – Dean Fraser
Trombone - Vin Gordon
Trumpet – Bobby Ellis
Background Vocals: Lukie D, Leba Hibberts, Thriller U
MC Break trk 4 - Brother Culture
Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards – Ryan Moore

Studios:

Studio Twilight - NL, Tuff Gong - Kingston, Jamaica, Steven Stanley Studio - Kingston, Jamaica (Eng. Paul Daley), Incredible Music - London, Eccentric Directions - London (Eng. Mike Pelanconi)

Mastering: Ernie Anches at Friends Studio Amsterdam
Album Design: Marlow Palleja

License