ROOTS ARCHITECTS Vinyl & CDs

Review: The scale is staggering, but the result is as focused and spiritual as any great dub record should be. Helmed by Swiss producer and keyboardist Mathias Liengme, this set draws together dozens of Jamaican session players from the 70s to todayithink Sly Dunbar, Vin Gordon, Ernest Ranglinion nine instrumental dubs cut and sculpted by Roberto Sanchez. '1000 Light Years DUB' opens with spacey textures and a tightly coiled rhythm section, easing into the skanking horns of 'In The Shadow DUB'. 'Whitewater DUB' flows warm and steady, while 'Memories of Old DUB' evokes roots nostalgia without drifting into pastiche. 'Rose Hall's Birds DUB' stands out for its bright brass interplay; 'Squirrel Inna Barrel DUB' rides a darker groove, led by echo-laden percussion. 'Under The Cotton Tree DUB' softens the tempo with flute and keys, followed by the spacious bass work of '45 Charles Street DUB'. The closer, 'Everlasting Love DUB', arranged around Errol Kong's melody, feels like both a send-off and an embraceiglowing, open, eternal.

Review: From Then 'Til Now marks Roots Architects' debut full-length album, a monumental project bringing together over 50 of Jamaica's most iconic session musicians. Spanning from the birth of reggae in the late 1960s to the present day, the album is a celebration of the unsung heroes of reggae music: the rhythm builders or Roots Architects. Conceived by Swiss keyboardist and producer Mathias Liengme, the album is the culmination of years of dedication to honoring Jamaica's musical legacy. Liengme's journey began in 2013 with "The Inspirators" project, leading to his immersion in Kingston's studio scene and the eventual formation of Roots Architects. Recorded in Kingston studios over February and March 2017, the album features a stellar lineup of veteran musicians aged 60 to 85, including legends like Robbie Lyn, Fil Callender, and Dalton Browne. Together, these Roots Architects revive the spirit of reggae, creating nine instrumental tracks that pay homage to their enduring legacy and timeless artistry.