Uprising Roots takes it slow

By Howard Campbell Jamaica Observer

 

THERE was a time in Jamaican music when artistes thought about quality before financial gain. The Uprising Roots Band sees nothing wrong with that policy.

The quartet recently released the self- produced single, Time. Though they have been together for 11 years, drummer/vocalist Rashaun ‘Black Kush’ McAnuff says getting a hit song is never part of the plan when they record.

“Having a hit great ’cause it bring the links but the most important thing for us is getting the message out,” he said.

Time was recorded last year and is the second release from the band’s pending sophomore album, Black To I Roots.

The self-titled track was its previous release.

McAnuff, bassist Ruel Ashburn, percussionist Junior Sutherland and keyboardist/dub poet Lloyd Palmer are the core members of Uprising which released its debut album, Skifiya, three years ago.

Since then, the band has maintained a steady live schedule, performing locally, in Europe and North America. Last year, their biggest gig was the Sierra Nevada World Music Festival in northern California.

While the band has released two songs from it, McAnuff stressed that there is no rush to get Black To I Roots out.

“Wi coming stronger, better, ’cause wi mature as a band an’ a family. The vibration strong an’ yuh can hear it in the music,” he said.