Rootical Vibrations (Victory World, 2001)

Roots fans rejoice!  It seems as if good ol' fashioned roots reggae is making a comeback after years of being dominated by digital dancehall (or "ragga") from the mid-'80s through much of the '90s.  Whether it be throwback bands like John Brown's Body and Gondwana or artists like Sizzla and Ras Shiloh who hedge their dancehall with a decidedly rootsy flavor or modern roots trendsetters like Luciano and Morgan Heritage, the message is clear: roots is rockin'...again!  Fledgling label Victory World furthers this trend with the sensational compilation Rootical Vibrations, which is in actuality a showcase for Britain's Jah Warrior Records (from whence Victory World licensed the material).  It's good to see old schoolers like Alton Ellis, Trinity, Dillinger, Earl 16, and Prince Alla still active and getting exposure (Horace Andy already gets his share of exposure).  More precisely, it's good to see them still active and getting exposure performing quality material.  Along with Ruff Cutt in Roots, this is one of the best modern roots collections to come out in the past few years.  The music is undiluted roots with a gritty edge creeping in now and then (natural, with DJs like Trinity and Dillinger on the slate).  The hard roots sound -- heralding horns, rhythmic drums, and slow, rolling bass lines -- is tempered somewhat by jazzy, improvisational instrumentation on tracks like "Weeping & Wailing" and "Imposter."  No one track truly stands out on this all-around collection (Prince Alla's "Stop Your Crying" being my favorite), with well-known vets like Peter Broggs and Alton Ellis (although his voice has seen better days) and more obscure artists like Hughie Izachaar, Nigerian DJ Afrikan Simba (who resembles Capleton a bit) and the UK's Tony Roots providing ample vocal talent.  It's fortunate that Rod Taylor gives an excellent Horace Andy-like performance, for Andy himself comes up short on the only genuinely weak tune on Rootical Vibrations, "Wash That Woman" (What, is he auditioning for South Pacific?).  Still, this album is certainly a worthwhile find.