Foundation Roots, Reality and Culture

In this episode, I present some essential Roots reggae cuts, mostly from the 1970s. These songs deal with the everyday lives and aspirations of the artists concerned, including the spiritual side of Rastafari and the honoring of God.

The featured artists provide social commentary and deliver lyrical themes including spirituality, resistance to government, black pride and repatriation.

You will hear Studio One classics, gems from Tuff Gong, Exterminator and Volcano, plus quintessential Trojan recordings, among others. The full track list is posted below. Enjoy the musical mix!

Song List:

1 Freddie McGregor – Rastaman Camp
2 Bob Marley – Africa Unite
3 Black Uhuru – Sensimilia
4 Sammy Dread – Road Block
5 Hugh Mundell – Rasta Have The Handle
6 The Gladiators – Easy Squeeze
7 Black Uhuru – Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner
8 Black Uhuru – Plastic Smile
9 Gregory Isaacs – Slave Master
10 John Holt – Up Park Camp
11 John Holt – Tribal War
12 Barrington Levy – No Fuss Or Fight
13 Jacob Miller – Tired Fe Lick Weed Inna Bush
14 Barrington Levy – Do Good
15 Barrington Levy – Murderer
16 Carlton Livingston – 100 Weight of Collie Weed
17 Bob Marley – Forever Loving Jah
18 Bob Marley – Them Belly Full
19 Bob Marley – Rebel Music
20 Don Carlos – Natty Dread Have the Credentials
21 Half Pint – Political Fiction
22 John Holt – Police In Helicopter
23 Jacob Miller – Tenement Yard
24 Gregory Isaacs – Border
25 Yabby You & The Prophets – Babylon A Fall
26 Yabby You & Tony Tuff – Falling Babylon
27 Burning Spear – Follow Marcus Garvey
28 U Brown – Jah Is My Father Still
29 Delroy Wilson – Better Must Come
30 Dennis Alcapone & Delroy Wilson – It Must Come
31 Barrington Levy – Teach The Youth
32 Cocoa Tea – Rasta Man
33 Sugar Minott – Give Me Jah Jah
34 U-Roy – Gorgon Wise
35 Johnny Osborne – Truths and Rights
36 Bob Marley – Time Will Tell
37 Burning Spear – Columbus
38 Freddie McGregor – Bobby Babylon
39 Johnny Osbourne – Jah Promise
40 Sugar Minott – Jah Jah Children
41 Johnny Osborne – Jah Righteous Plan