Taezali Roolz is the new album by Scottish reggae veterans Albaroot. This is the first studio album following a 12-year hiatus by front man and singer/songwriter Clark Innes. A decade sojourn into the world of professional archaeology followed the last album ‘Roots Rock Rabbie’, a tribute reggae style; to the national Bard Robert Burns to much critical acclaim. This latest offering (named after the Iron age tribe who lived in the north-east Buchan area of Scotland) saw Clark in the studio without the band members and recording all the instruments as a solo performer. However, he was not alone in the digital world and was joined by a host of Jamaican musicians who played virtually and help build an eclectic album of original songs. The drums were offered up by Horseman, the horns by Chronic horns Jamaica and other segments by the Mad professor, Prince Fatty and Dubmatix.
The album’s opening track ‘Message to passing aliens’ is just that! Matter of fact, the lovely blue ball looks inviting but be careful if you stick your head through the clouds to keek at us lot. The album song journey takes a more personal joyful route through the scenery, in comparison to earlier politically charged albums but the blood and fire are still present in ‘Hard enough’, the busy practice of blaming Muslims and the Polish people for almost everything that happens, from holes in the road to being arrested for being drunk! Softer vibes are called upon for songs like ‘Two bananas in a basket’, a song of love and the birth of the author’s daughter. ‘Whisky bond’ describes the drudgery of working from early in the morning to late at night and flooding the warehouse with whisky after pressing the wrong buttons on the machine!
‘Something wonderful’ is in retaliation to world media and their mind-numbing negative view of everything that moves, calling into question the motives behind feeding the public such a poisonous daily dish. ‘Canna get awa fae that’ is the author’s long term bonnet bee about the consequences of being handcuffed to a thief, who advises gambling as a way out of poverty. The fame agenda is addressed here and questions if the lottery has become the new church in many peoples lives? ‘One more time’ is a lighthearted reggae love song poking fun at the couple who have been with one another for years but still find the time to go for a picnic every now and then. ‘Manifesto for love’ is a similarly upbeat chant in favour of love over hate which can not be underestimated as a tonic to our ever present social media filled lives. ‘Lay ye doon love’ is a lovely old folk song the band used to sing at parties after gigs and was enjoyed very much, here it is given the 1970s roots reggae treatment and stands like a bonny wee flower in the album. Last track is ‘We want more’, another stab at the bureaucracy, the government the royal family who quite like us to be nice and subservient, ‘Noo a king is fantasy stuff that we men made up, it keeps them looking doon on us whilst we look up’. The world has opened up culturally, literally and factually, their time guzzling our money and resources will soon be at an end, We want more!
The album will be available for digital download soon but a hard copy can be purchased by visiting www.Albaroot.co.uk
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