Record of 2000

GREEDY BUG
LEVI ROOTS
(SOUNDBOX 7”)

The Coxsone Outernational sound system deejay Levi Roots (b. Keith Valentine Graham) has no doubt made a great deal more money from his highly successful jerk barbeque sauce and as a celebrity chef than he did in all his years in music, but it would still be a pity if his finest moment on record were to be forgotten.  Released at the beginning of the new millennium on his own Sound Box label, alongside strong versions by the likes of Anthony B (“Strength To Strength”), Luciano (“Aluta Continua [The Struggle Continues]”) and Mikey General (“Mind Over Matter”), it stood out for its inspired lyricism, as well as the original mix of violin (from Soul 11 member Johnny T) and Rasta percussion that supported his declamatory chant.  Eventually all the cuts of the rhythm, including those from Yami Bolo, Starkey Banton, and General Pecos,  were bought together for what was then the obligatory version album, one of the more consistently interesting of the period.


Peter Dalton


 

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