*GUEST REVIEW*
Talkin' Roots I and II are brilliant, reggae classics of our time. Recently, Bambu Station has made a habit of taking that to the road, and this double disc features the first fruits of that practice. Featuring a few songs from some of the most popular artists from those albums and the Virgin Islands and spanning two discs, the collection is hardly complete, but it is still a valuable and appreciated addition to the series. It also gives those of us who don't live near their touring circuit a chance to feel what the real thing is like. So here we go. Black Culture is the first singer to come up on stage. He starts out with his brilliant "Jah Nah Gone" from his debut Lion's Den Adversity. The live version is just as strong as the studio version; only you really get the sense that he's more than just a studio personality. Next up is Ras Bumpa who opens up with "Never Keep I Down" and then delivers a memorable performance of his "Do Good" from Talkin Roots Vol II. After another song from Ras Bumpa, Ijah Menelik takes the stage. He takes the live experience to a whole new level. With Bambu Station providing crucial roots backing, Ijah explodes with 3 classic tracks, "Deadline," "Muzunga," and "Baggawire." The last of which rocks the house with that ital flow, "Rasta nah go fret wit dem, ah get upset wit dem, dey judgement set fi dem…". Lady Passion follows up with two great songs, closing out the first disc with "Never Change." Her performance is astonishing, because of how women in reggae are typically blinged-out, dancehall sex objects. Here she proves that not only are women capable of giving excellent live conscious performances, but that they can even show up men in that venue. Disc two opens up with a full set from Pressure. Obviously, this is the highlight, seeing as how he's been on the VI scene for so long, and his association with Bambu Station, Midnite, and Yahadanai has given him excellent exposure. His "The Pressure is On" makes it feel like this is a whole new show that they're starting. His six songs show that he is capable of giving a show as intense as Sizzla Kalonji and that his songs are equally infectious. The rest of the disc consists of a DJ laying out riddims for the five vocalists to freestyle to. Each of these are cool, though I don't get into that thing as much as I do the live-band stuff. Overall, this is an excellent collection to have, and a worthy cause to support. If you live in California, pick it up at the nearest Amoeba, and if you find music online check it out at Mt Nebo Records.

- Trammell Scruggs