JAH ROOTS
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JAH ROOTS

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"Excellent Reggae Album"

Crucial is the most recent release in a string of excellent reggae albums by Jah Roots. An explosively good vibe is packed in this little CD. Pop it into the player, and the syncopated island jams bury their way into your head. For all the classic Reggae fans who love Bob Marley and the like, many tracks, such as "Secrets" and "Fight Down We Chalwa," exhibit a similarly classic Reggae sound. For those who are looking for a new sound, tracks like the title track "Crucial" and "Good Highs" have great reggae rhythms infused with vocal influences from Hip-Hop and Ska. The disc also very tastefully contains heart felt messages about having a great time or bringing attention to some of the worlds problems. Their music has potential to do many great things for the world. It provokes deep thought of reality by offering up views that most people want to ignore. Their political message is very reminiscent of past Reggae greats, whose only way of getting their message out was this great music. This CD has so much to offer to any listener, a very positive message and a great sound to back it up. - HOME GROWN MUSIC NETWORK


"JAH ROOTS on Crucial Reggae Vol. 3"

"Crucial Reggae From Outside Jamaica Vol. 3" is now available and once again it's a crucial release on Skank Records.

Containing one dozen tunes and just over one hour of crucial roots, Volume 3 continues in the mold of the previous critically-acclaimed discs.

New artists in this series include two from Trinidad (Prophet Benjamin and Khari Kill), Pressure from St. Thomas, SOJA and Jah Roots from the U.S., and Batch and Ras Attitude from St. Croix.

Returning artists include Nasio Fontaine, Inner Visions, Groundation, Ossie Dellimore and Mongoose (who are now known as Maimon and the Mongoose Band).

Things start off with an outsatnding tune from Nasio's most recent release, "Universal Cry," and from there it's simply classic tune after classic tune. You'll also find 2 unreleased songs, "Scandal Mongerer" from Ossie Dellimore's soon come cd and the closing tune from Maimon And The Mongoose Band, an extended version of "1945" (the regular version will be found on their soon-to-be-released cd on Skank Records, "Third Ear").

Like the previous two volumes, everything's done right on this one, too, from the strong song selection to the smooth transitions to the detailed booklet to the more-than-fair royalties being paid to all involved. A portion of the proceeds of each cd will once again be donated to Doctors Without Borders to help those in need the world over.

Once again, I truly feel that "Crucial Reggae From Outside Jamaica Vol. 3" will totally knock you out and I'm extremely proud to offer it to the world.

- Professor Skank - Skank Records


"Jah Roots"

These guys are very talented. I can't fathom how this heavy roots reggae band spawned from Springfield, Missouri. I saw these guys open a Bob Marley Festival last summer and was immediately struck with how tight their band sounded and by the lead-singer's voice, which literally left me speechless. He's also a talented song-writer as well. The guy who raps in my opinion almost serves to distract from Ras Josh's authenticity and stirring vocals on CD, but live, he is a dynamic performer. I can't believe I'm writing the following, but it's the truth: They were my favorite act on that hot summer day. A day which boasted a bill that included Stephen Marley, Ziggy Marley (who I am a huge fan of) and Bunny Wailer, who it goes without saying demands infinite respect. So, obviously, you could say I dig JAH ROOTS!! - David Wells of Miracle Ink.


"Highlights include the title track, which is especially reminiscent of middle-period Steel Pulse"

Jah Roots - Crucial Based in Missouri, Jah Roots play in a rootswise style that harks back to the late 1970s, when roots-and-culture reggae had fully developed and dancehall was waiting at the threshold for its turn to take over. Their sound is sharp and well-defined, and lead singer Ras Josh sings with a laid-back diction that recalls both David Hinds in his jazzier moments and (believe it or not) Tracy Chapman. It's hard not to be a little distracted by the affected Jamaican patois (Missouri, remember), but they carry it off well enough. What really matter are the songs, which are uniformly very strong. Highlights include the title track, which is especially reminiscent of middle-period Steel Pulse, and the high-energy "Chant Down Babylon." DJ I-Ron is very impressive. Recommended. www.niceup.com - JAMMIN REGGAE ARCHIVES


"Crucial is the most recent release in a string of excellent reggae albums by Jah Roots"

Crucial is the most recent release in a string of excellent reggae albums by Jah Roots. An explosively good vibe is packed in this little CD. Pop it into the player, and the syncopated island jams bury their way into your head. For all the classic Reggae fans who love Bob Marley and the like, many tracks such as "Secrets", and "Fight Down We Chalwa" exhibit a similarly classic Reggae sound. For those who are looking for a new sound, tracks like the title track "Crucial" and "Good Highs" have great reggae rhythms infused with vocal influences from Hip-Hop and Ska. The disc also very tastefully contains heart felt message about either having a great time or bringing attention to some of the worlds problems. Their music has potential to do many great things for the world. It provokes deep thought of reality by offering up views that most people want to ignore. Their political message is very reminiscent of past Reggae greats, whose only way of getting their message out is this great music called Reggae. This CD has so much to offer to any listener, a very positive message and a great sound to back it up. With every song on the disc easily becoming your favorite, it's hard not like everything about it. It's apparent the memebers of Jah Roots put their heart and soul into their music. When anyones ear catchs the infectious sounds on this CD, they will definately be impressed. Jah Roots has been city hopping promoting Crucual and on Nov 10th Tahlequah will be lucky to host them at The Dream Theatre. This is an exciting chance to see some awesome Reggae Live in Tahlequah. Whether not or you may get to the show you will not regret purchasing this CD or any of their other albums. For more info about Jah Roots please visit www.myspace.com/jahroots - The Current (Tahlequah,OK)


"Crucial soars"

Jah Roots returns as strong as ever, but if you wanna hear 'em this time out, you'll have to pay, you deadbeats (see cdbaby.com). People have families to feed, y'know. After releasing their first two albums to the masses free of charge, the band understandably has decided to go the standard retail route with Crucial. It continues in the same vein as their previous efforts -- invigorating roots with a free-flowing, "jamming" vibe that at times samples past classic cuts (like Israel Vibration's "Same Song" riddim on "Secrets" and Barrington Levy's "Murderer" on "Don't You See the Problem") and that just makes you want to boogie. As with Babylon Weak Heart, they hook up with DJ SkillinJah (for one cut) and add another two sing-jays to the mix, I-Ron and Badda Skat. These guests represent admirably and throw a jolt of party energy into songs like "Good Highs" and "Chant Down Babylon," but it's Ras Josh who continues to be one of the most engaging singers in reggae today. He combines a Marley-esque wail with Ali Campbell-esque soul and throws in a blues singer's calculatedly ragged edge and a jazz singer's vocal improvisation to craft a style that would make "Mary Had a Little Lamb" listenable. From up-tempo jams like "One to One," "Poverty," the anti-babylon rant "Don't You See the Problem," and the title track to more mellow grooves like "Roll Up the Spliff," "System a Dread," "Secrets," and the anthemic "Fight Down We Chalwa," Crucial soars. Hopefully, its mainstream distribution will draw more fans into the Jah Roots sound. - www.reggae-reviews.com


Discography

2003 - Steppin Out Of Babylon - Out Of Print

2005 - More Herbs For The Youth

2005 - Babylon Weak Heart

Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by Greg Roller & Jah Roots @ Caravell Studios - Branson, Mo.

2006 - Crucial

Recorded, Mixed, & Mastered by Greg Roller & Jah Roots @ Caravell Studios - Branson,Mo

CONTACT :
General - joshroots@aol.com

Media Inquires - David Wells - Daveanw@yahoo.com

Booking/Tour Manager -
Joshua @
joshroots@aol.com
417-866-2946

Band/Tech - Michael @ 417-773-6658

Jah Roots, LLC
1634 E. Nora
Springfield,Mo 65803

http://www.jahroots.com

Photos

Bio

JAH ROOTS has quickly gained a hard-earned reputation as one of America’s most talented homegrown reggae bands. Lead singer, Ras Josh, perfectly employs his soulful, fervent, vocals while delivering cerebral, thought provoking, lyrical content in which themes of love, oppression and spirituality are often explored. His voice possesses sonic features that can best be described as undeniably roots reggae, and yet, also uniquely his own. The roots reggae element of JAH ROOTS' sound is generously supplemented by the dance hall styling of rapper, I-Ron, who’s expertly crafted flow infuses JAH ROOTS live performances with an infectious, joyously frantic energy. Once you find yourself in the audience at a JAH ROOTS live set, the tightness of the band becomes immediately apparent, as is the fact that each and every member of JAH ROOTS is obviously a highly capable and accomplished musician. The moment JAH ROOTS launches into the first song of the night, there is no room for confusion concerning their sincerity. These six guys from Springfield, Missouri, are not merely a reggae band out having fun on the road, but rather a collective of highly talented performers dedicating their lives' work to echoing JAH’s message down from the stage and out to the masses. The undeniable quality inherent in JAH ROOTS music must be the reason their 2007 release CRUCIAL wound up, rather unexpectedly, on the list of “2007's Top Ten Reggae Albums ” on the tiny island nation of Guam!! In the past two years, JAH ROOTS has taken the stage at The Wakarusa Musical Festival, SXSW, Schwagstocks 32 & 33, Tulsa Reggae Fest, Dayton Reggae Fest and The High Times Reggae Fest [as well as others, far too many to list here]. In addition to the countless festivals, JAH ROOTS has recently played dates with Ziggy & Stephen Marley, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Prezident Brown, Michael Franti, George Clinton, and many, many more. Through little more than word of mouth, Jah Roots repeatedly packs every venue they play. The band’s success serves as an irrefutable testament to the power generated when authentic music is performed live, by passionate, purpose-driven artists. Recently, JAH ROOTS, recorded their upcoming album, entitled “JOY,” (Release date: 4/18) at Lion & Fox Studios, in Washington, D.C. which is known internationally as America’s preeminent reggae recording studio. Once in the studio they were joined by legendary reggae guitarist, “The British Hendrix” himself, Junior Marvin – who served as lead guitarist for Bob Marley & The Wailers from ’77-’80. He contributed lead-guitar on two of the album’s tracks! As the release date for “JOY” looms ever closer, JAH ROOTS music is prone, ready to vault into a higher level of society’s collective consciousness, and as the music grows and touches more and more people, we, as a world, will be the ones “JOY”-fully reaping the benefits.