Roots Radics

Roots Radics stand out as Jamaica's leading session ensemble. In addition to serving as the backing unit for Gregory Isaac's tours and studio work, the musicians have joined forces with a wide array of performers such as Bunny Wailer, Israel Vibration, Sugar Minott, the Wailing Souls, On-U-Sounds, Creation Rebel, and Prince Far-I. They crossed the United Kingdom alongside Prince Far-I while performing under the name the Arabs.

Their beginnings reach back to Morris "Blacker" Wellington's group the Morvells, an act that included future Roots Radics members Errol "Flabba" Holt on bass and Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont on guitar. Holt and Lamont, during their time with the Morwells, cut several mid-'70s successes including "Swing and Dine," "They Hold Us Down," and "Kingston Is Tuffy." Lamont had already partnered with bongo player Bongo Herman to record the 1971 hit "Know Far-I" and had produced an album for Pete Boggs. Working independently, Holt had previously released such hits as "A You Lick Me First," "Gimme Gimme," and "Who Have Eyes to See."

The players first united inside the Channel One session outfit the Revolutionaries, whose lineup also featured the rhythm section of bassist Sly Dunbar and drummer Robbie Shakespeare. After Shakespeare and Dunbar departed to found their own Taxi Records label, the Revolutionaries developed into Roots Radics.

The band's initial standalone success, "Bounty Hunter," appeared in 1979 under the production of Henry "Junjo" Lawes. They soon led the dancehall approach that shaped reggae throughout the early '80s. Their position weakened once the digital and ragga sound rose to prominence in the mid-'80s. Their last hit, "Hot We Hot," which carried lead vocals by Dwight "Brother Dee" Pinkney, surfaced in 1989. Lamont's death from prostate cancer in January 1994 left the group's prospects in doubt.