AMG Review of Roots

Jo-Ann Greene
All Music Guide

So often have fans been misled by Bob Marley & the Wailers compilations titled The Early Years, The Formative Years, et al., none of which contain anything of the sort, honing in instead on the band's work in the late '60s/early '70s, that many consumers may toss Roots back in the bin after only scanning halfway down the track listing. And who can blame them? The first eight numbers have appeared on a multitude of sets, and beyond the opener, "Soul Shakedown Party," rate fairly low on the "best-of" scale for this period. But then, totally out of left field, comes "I Made a Mistake," a Stax-flavored Studio One gem from 1965, boasting fabulous work from guitarist Lyn Taitt and organist Jackie Mittoo. The rudie classic "Let Him Go" takes listeners into the rocksteady age, with Junior Braithwaite handling much of the lead. "Nobody Knows," "I'm Going Home," and "Wings of a Dove" take the Wailers back to their religious roots, the first two featuring a call-and-response styling that is the foundation of gospel, the latter offering a more sedate church choir flavor. The album than returns with a bit of a jolt to the reggae age, with a final three songs from that era, again all well recycled. But the inclusion of the much less-compiled Studio One songs sets Roots far apart from the competition. It's worth noting, however, that the bulk of the set is an inferior selection of songs, but since fans are desperate for something different, that fact may not faze many.