Black Roots - Roots (Nubian Records)

The album title, a call for Black people to explore and embrace their history and heritage, leaves little room for ambiguity. For those still unsure, the cover artwork - a Scotch bonnet plant, from its stem laden with red, yellow, and green peppers to its deeply entrenched roots - drives the message home. The Scotch bonnet, originating in Latin America, is a staple of Caribbean cuisine but is used worldwide, making it, like reggae itself, a global symbol.

‘Roots’ boasts no fewer than 18 new tracks, making it impossible to delve into each one here, but we’ll gladly highlight a few highlights.

Among them is opener ‘Berlin Conference’, a scathing critique of the imperialist and colonialist attitudes of Western powers during the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference. Organized by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck at the request of Belgian King Leopold II, the conference saw European nations unilaterally decide the fate of the African continent, with devastating consequences. Tracks like ‘Exploited’, ‘Fi Once’ and ‘Free Africa’ continue along similar thematic lines.

In ‘Only Son’, Black Roots questions Christianity’s foundational narrative:

Why crucify thy only son?
Who’s gonna crucify their only son?
And leave him pon the cross fi dead,
To justify wickedness to humans!

Closing track ‘Windrush’ serves as a powerful musical tribute to the “Windrush generation”, predominantly Caribbean migrants invited to the UK between 1948 and 1971 to help rebuild the country after World War II, who despite their significant contributions, often faced racial discrimination.

With ‘Roots’, Black Roots delivers exactly what the title promises!