Reggae Roots Rockers

Grammy nominated Reggae Singer, MC and Toaster from Birmingham, England MR. PATO BANTON tells us about hosting illegal house parties at a very early age and how that experience led to his unique stage name.

In this excerpt from my full interview, RAS MICHAEL responds to a question about the difference or similarity between Haile Selassie I and Jesus Christ.

Ras Michael is an evangelist, ambassador and diplomat for the Ethiopian Orthodox Tawahido Church internationally and one of the founders and president of the Rastafarian International/Marcus Garvey Culture Center in Los Angeles, and the Fly Away Culture Center in Kingston, Jamaica.

Prepare yourself to enter the wacky and unpredictable world of classic Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall "Singjay" EEK-A-MOUSE.

Hear from the self-proclaimed "Tallest Mouse in the World" about his songwriting style, touring the world, his ownership of America and a near death tour bus experience.  Plus some spontaneous singjay lyrics.

Interview segments recorded live on July 25, 1991 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Listen in on a conversation with GENERAL SMILEY of Jamaica Reggae/Dancehall duo MICHIGAN AND SMILEY.

Michigan and Smiley rose to popularity during the first wave of dancehall music in the late 1970s and performed twice at Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica, which solidified their legendary status.

Highlights of the interview include General Smiley discussing his early influences, his Sunsplash experience and discussing the players he would include in his "dream band".

Check out an exclusive interview with classic vocal group THE TAMLINS, including Carlton Smith, Junior Moore and Derrick Lara (rest in peace).

Interview segments recorded live on June 24, 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Check out an exclusive interview with the original members of the classic Reggae harmony group THE MEDITATIONS, featuring Ansel Cridland, Danny Clarke and Winston Watson.

Formed in Jamaica in 1974, the Meditations are known for their own classic albums, as well as background vocal for some of the biggest hits in Reggae, including classic Bob Marley songs Blackman Redemption, Rastaman Live Up, Keep on Moving and more.

Ansel “Meditation” Cridland continues producing, writing, arranging, and performing for fans all over the world.  

Sadly, Winston Watson passed away in 2019.

Interview was recorded live on May 27, 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

The legendary "Keeper of the Zion Gate" Joseph Hill discusses the legend of Columbus discovering the West Indies.  

The late, great MIKEY DREAD joined me in the studio in  1992 to discuss a range of topic and "guest DJ" with some of his favorite songs.

In this segment, Mikey talks about a chance meeting with former members of Rock band Guns 'N Roses that lead to him collaborating and performing on two songs.

In 1992, I sat down with a young PATO BANTON, a Grammy nominated Reggae Singer, MC and Toaster from Birmingham, England, to discuss growing up, battling with record companies, how he got his unique name and much more.

Interview was recorded live on October 29, 1992 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Feast your ears on an interview with the late, great JOSEPH HILL, lead singer and songwriter for the legendary Roots Reggae group CULTURE.

Joseph Hill, also known by his Rastafari name "Keeper of Zion Gate", founded Culture in 1976 and went on to record 22 albums.  He was known as a teacher and scholar of Jamaican history and current political issues.

Joseph Hill passed away on August 19, 2006 at the age of 57.

Interview was recorded live in 1992 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Enjoy my conversation with "The Grammy Kid" MYKAL ROSE, the prolific solo artist and former lead singer of the legendary BLACK UHURU, where he won a Grammy for the 1985 album "Anthem".

Hear Mykal talk about growing up in JA, the beginnings of Black Uhuru and death of Puma Jones, his process for recording new songs, his life on the farm, the Jamaican "copyright act", a special in-studio performance and more.

Interview segments recorded live on January 25, 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

During my time as a DJ at WERS radio in Boston, we were joined by many Reggae performers, but few brought the energy and vibe of the legendary MIKEY DREAD.  

Sadly, Mikey departed this world in 2008, but his voice and music live on to entertain and inspire future generations.

This interview was recorded live in-studio in 1992.

I'm so honored to offer you the voice and vibes of South African Reggae musician LUCKY DUBE.

Lucky recorded 22 albums in Zulu, English and Afrikaans during his 25-year career and was South Africa's biggest-selling reggae artist until his life was tragically cut short.  He was the victim of an apparent carjacking and murdered in the Johannesburg suburb of Rosettenville on  October 18, 2007.

During each of the interviews Lucky discusses growing up and touring in his native South Africa, his musical inspirations and, during the 1993 interview, opines about the state of politics and politicians in Africa and around the world, tell us how it feels to play in front of 140,000 people and how be prepares for a live performance.

In-studio interview was recorded live on June 20, 1991 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.  Phone interview was recorded on July 8, 1993.

Enjoy a conversation with Anguillan singer/songwriter BANKIE BANX.

Hear the Caribbean legend himself discuss growing up in a musical family, his unique recording style, touring with Jimmy Cliff and putting on concerts on deserted islands in the Caribbean.

Bankie's first Caribbean hit "Prince of Darkness" released in 1977 and was followed up by his first album "Roots and Herbs" in 1978, which pioneered reggae music in the Eastern Caribbean.  He was the first performer from Anguilla to appear at Reggae Sunsplash in 1983.  He appeared again in 1992.

Banx's sound has been described as a cross between Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, and his music a blend of Folk, Reggae, R&B and Jazz. He is often called the "Anguillan Bob Dylan", and has played with Dylan himself.

Bankie spearheaded the launch of the Moonsplash Music Festival 1991 and has hosted countless musical legends on-stage at his bar/venue The Dune Preserve in Anguilla, including Jimmy Buffett, who recorded a song with Bankie (see link below)

Interview segments recorded live on April 9, 1992 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Positive vibes flow from legendary musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and actor JIMMY CLIFF, one of the original artists to bring Reggae music to the world.

Hear Jimmy talk about writing and recording his 1992 album "Breakout", including the song "Stepping Out of Limbo", his passion for music of Zaire and how the "age of CD" changed the way he releases music.

Interview segments recorded by phone on October 29, 1992 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Check out my brief, but energic conversation with Jamaican Dancehall singer Tiger.

Tiger began performing in the 1970s and is known for his frantic, growling style of deejaying, as well as his comedic, yet conscious lyrics.

In this interview, Tiger discusses his comedy and reggae music influences and more.

Interview segments recorded live in 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Check out an exclusive interview with legendary singer/songwriter and Lovers Rock originator BERES HAMMOND. 

Interview segments recorded live on June 24, 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Episode #12 of Reggae Roots Rockers features Anguillan singer/songwriter BANKIE BANX.

Hear the Caribbean legend himself discuss growing up in a musical family, his unique recording style, touring with Jimmy Cliff and putting on concerts on deserted islands in the Caribbean.  

Bankie's first Caribbean hit "Prince of Darkness" released in 1977 and was followed up by his first album "Roots and Herbs" in 1978, which pioneered reggae music in the Eastern Caribbean.  He was the first performer from Anguilla to appear at Reggae Sunsplash in 1983.  He appeared again in 1992.

Banx's sound has been described as a cross between Bob Marley and Bob Dylan, and his music a blend of Folk, Reggae, R&B and Jazz. He is often called the "Anguillan Bob Dylan", and has played with Dylan himself.

Bankie spearheaded the launch of the Moonsplash Music Festival 1991 and has hosted countless musical legends on-stage at his bar/venue The Dune Preserve in Anguilla, including Jimmy Buffett, who recorded a song with Bankie (see link below)  

Interview segments recorded live on April 9, 1992 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Bankie Banx tracks not available on Spotify (yet!)

Episode 11 of Reggae Roots Rockers features legendary musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, and actor JIMMY CLIFF, one of the original artists to bring Reggae music to the world.

Episode 8 of Reggae Roots Rockers features a short, but energic interview with Jamaican Dancehall singer Tiger.

Tiger began performing in the 1970s and is known for his frantic, growling style of deejaying, as well as his comedic, yet conscious lyrics.

In this interview, Tiger discusses his comedy and reggae music influences and more.

Interview segments recorded live in 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.

Tiger's 1993 album "Claws of the Cat" is not available on Spotify, but worth a listen if you can find it.   The interview ends with a couple of Tiger classics.

You can check out the two songs mentioned during the interview here:

Episode 5 of the Reggae Roots Rockers Podcast features the voices, vibes and music of Lovers Rock legend BERES HAMMOND and classic vocal group THE TAMLINS, including Carlton Smith, Junior Moore and Derrick Lara (rest in peace).

Listen for inspiring words from these Reggae treasures, plus musical treats including a Peter Tosh song featuring the Tamlins on background vocals.

Interview segments recorded live on June 24, 1993 at the WERS Studios in Boston, MA.