Cultural Roots, Hell A Go Pop

When we hear about Cultural Roots it’s often linked with the song ‘Mr Bossman’ – which counts among ‘Jah Shaka favourite tunes’ - featured on their second album, Drift Away From Evil produced by Donovan Germain as the first one Revolutionary Sounds released in 1980. But the group released an underated third album in 1984 that Greensleeves has finally decided to reissue. Produced by Junjo Lawes, Hell A Go Pop sounds as those albums from the 80’s, when roots was transforming into dancehall.

This set - appearing for first time on CD - has been remastered and features 2 bonus tracks, ‘Hell A Go Pop’ and ‘Love Feelings’ in extended mix. From the big hit ‘Hell A Go Pop’ to ‘Every Man has A Right’, ‘Execute’, ‘Reggae Music’ and ‘Thief’, ‘Liars and Criminals’, this set highlights on beautiful vocal harmonies that are the strong point of Cultural Roots led by Hubert Brooks on lead vocal. All instrumentals featured here are great and were recorded at Channel One studio with the Roots Radics band. The 2 best songs of this album are the titled track, which used to rule dancehalls during his release year in 1984 and ‘Love Feelings’, a great version of original gem ‘Police In Helicopter’ by John Holt.

Greensleeves kills two birds in one stone releasing on CD this essential album featuring 2 heavy bonus tracks in 12 mix. A reissue that should delight those who missed the original LP !