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.