JAH ROOTS: American-grown Reggae’s Arrival
Jah Roots has quickly gained a hard-earned reputation as one of America’s most talented, homegrown, reggae bands. Lead singer, Ras Josh, perfectly employs his soulful, fervent, vocals as an instrument for delivering cerebral, thought provoking, lyrical content. Lyrics in which themes of love, oppression and spirituality are often explored. His voice possesses sonic features that can best be described as undeniably roots reggae, and yet, also uniquely his own.
The roots reggae element of the Jah Roots sound is generously supplemented by the Dancehall styling of rapper, I-Ron, who’s expertly crafted flow flawlessly infuses Jah Roots live performances with an infectious, joyously frantic energy.
Once one finds themselves in the audience of a Jah Roots performance, the tightness of the band becomes immediately apparent, as does the fact that each and every member of Jah Roots is a highly capable, experienced and accomplished musician.
The moment Jah Roots launches into the first song of the night, there is no room for confusion concerning their sincerity; these six guys from Springfield, Missouri, are not merely a reggae band out having fun on the road, but, rather, a collective of highly talented performers dedicating their lives’ work to echoing Jah’s message down from the stage, and out to the masses.
The undeniable quality inherent in Jah Roots music must be the reason their 2007 release "Crucial" wound up, rather unexpectedly, on the tiny island nation of Guam’s list of “Top Ten Reggae Albums of 2007!!"
In the past two years, Jah Roots has taken the stage at The Wakarusa Musical Festival, SXSW, Schwagstocks 32 & 33, Tulsa Reggae Fest, Dayton Reggae Fest and The High Times Reggae Fest, and was recently voted by the public to play Summer Camp Music Festival, in Chilicothe, Illinois !!.
In addition to these festivals, Jah Roots has recently played dates with the Marley children, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Prezident Brown, Michael Franti, George Clinton, and many, many more.
Through little more than word of mouth, Jah Roots, repeatedly packs every venue they play. The band’s success serves as an irrefutable testament to the power generated when authentic music is performed live, by passionate, purpose-driven artists.
Recently, Jah Roots, recorded their upcoming album, entitled “JOY,” (Release date: 4/18) at Lion & Fox Studios, in Washington, D.C. The Lion & Fox Studios are known internationally as America’s preeminent reggae recording studio. The recording of "JOY" proved to be Jah Roots’ first exposure to creating new music in such a high caliber facility, and the benefits of this opportunity are clearly evidenced in every resulting track comprising "JOY."
Once in the studio, Jah Roots, were joined by legendary reggae guitarist, “The British Hendrix” himself, Junior Marvin – who served as lead guitarist for Bob Marley & The Wailers from ’77-’80. He contributed lead guitar on “Spliff & My Lady” and “Ganja Weed.” His skilled efforts serve not only to decorate the two tracks on which he plays, but by virtue of his inclusion, Junior Marvin imbues the entire album with a timelessness and brilliance that any true Bob Marley fan will recognize.
As the release date for “JOY” looms ever closer, Jah Roots music is poised, ready to vault into a higher level of society’s collective consciousness, and as the music grows and touches more and more people, we, as a world, will be the ones “JOY”-fully reaping the benefits.
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