A foundational gem from the golden era of roots reggae, Roots Man Skanking captures Freddie McGregor at the height of his creative and spiritual power. Released in 1982 and pressed in Canada by Clocktower Records, this album reflects the soulful consciousness that McGregor brought to the Jamaican music scene in the early ’80s.
Powered by the Roots Radics, one of the most influential rhythm sections in reggae history, and mixed by dub maestro Scientist, this LP is a rich sonic document of the Rub-a-Dub style that evolved during Jamaica’s post-Marley roots movement.
Roots Man Skanking played a subtle but significant role in the global spread of conscious reggae music. Its warm, analog production and spiritually aware lyrics resonated particularly with the UK sound system scene, where tracks like these were championed by selectors across London, Birmingham, and Bristol. McGregor’s ability to combine militant Rasta themes with lovers rock sensibility helped bridge generational and stylistic divides within reggae communities around the world.
