Maytalls - From The Roots - VINYL LP

The center and founder of the group, singer/songwriter Louis Morales, didn't want the name to be the identification of the band, but be more about the music and the experience. Dem first appeared in 2016 as Morales' stage name, when he was playing gigs in his hometown of Galveston, TX. He quickly began to collect musicians into his project, leading him to today's solid cast of six Pat Kelly (drums) and Kevin B (lead guitar) of The Suffers, Liam Haney (bass) of Houston's Third Coast Roots, Sel Philips Caveraz (drums), and Allison Lopez (sax). As the world was locking down at the start of 2020, Dem's Pat, Allison, Sel, and Louis joined forces with Austin musicians Dane Folton (bass, Lion Heights), Jeremy Carlson (keys, Lion Heights), and Mario Salazar (lead guitar) to Tall Sky Studios in Austin, where they recorded their first album. Citing it as being a positive but strange experience to record during shut-down, the band quickly realized that the overarching message of the music was about understanding yourself - a phrase that everyone can relate to.

The Mighty Rootsmen features the unparalleled talents of Reggae superstars Toots Hibbert, Luciano, Gregory Isaacs, Michael Rose, and the rhythmic prowess of Sly & Robbie, Mikey Chung, Robbie Lyn, and Sticky Thompson, alongside Zap Pow Horns members David Madden, Calvin 'Bubbles' Cameron, and Glen DaCosta. A groundbreaking collaboration - it is a celebration of reggae's iconic artists, seamlessly blending the genre's rich rhythms with rock and soul classics. Brought together by producer Ralph Sall (Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Cat Stevens) and recorded at the famous Anchor Studios in Jamaica. The album's unique sound comes from the decision to let the musicians' instincts drive the creative process, striking a balance between homage and innovation. Featuring classic tracks from the likes of Tom Petty, The Steve Miller band, The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. It is produced with a reverence for authenticity and musical mastery. This once-in-a-lifetime project brings together a dream team of Jamaican legends, paying tribute to their artistry and the art of collaboration.This is Timeless classics with a reggae supergroup. Tracks like InchFly Like an EagleInch showcase Steve Miller's unexpected, soulful guitar work layered over a reggae groove. Meanwhile, Mike Campbell's guitar on InchI Won't Back DownInch deepen the album's connections to rock royalty. Yet, the project remains firmly rooted in reggae. InchMy intention was to try to do something that hadn't been done in reggae before by putting these giants of the genre together to make a record that leaves you with good feelings, they're very recognisable as the songs they are but have a distinct reggae feel and stamp.Inch reflects Ralph.The Mighty Rootsmen stands as a tribute to the enduring power of reggae music an album that brings joy, good vibes, and a profound connection to musical history.

Reissue of 1997 album on 180 gram RED vinyl by Toots & Maytals