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Review

Album Review: Rootz Underground - A Dread Fire Tower

06/21/2024

by Gardy Stein

Rootz Underground, the band around lead singer Stephen Newland, is known for releasing music off the beaten track. After the exciting concept work Red Gold Green, their new album A Dread Fire Tower confirms this impression, as it is a little on the quirky side. Released on their label Thunderground Music, a variety of producers contributed to the oeuvre: Natural High, Graham John Fenton, Lance-O (Kulture Shock Music), Paul "Scubi" Smith, Chris Reagan and Stephen himself, lent their musical inspiration to the 14-piece track list, creating a multiverse of sounds to discover.  

After a traditional Rastafari Elders Binghi Intro, booming drums and harmonic singing and all, the first track Jah Army starts with high energy. The Most High Jah features prominently in many lyrics, from Seek Jah First, a song that enumerates the names of African leaders in tried and tested Rastafari manner, via Praise H.I.M and Until Shiloh, which includes snippets of a speech of Haile Selassie, to Foundation. Special mention deserves Izes Unto Jah, as Stephen's son Isaiah makes his autotuned debut on one of dad's productions. Another feature is the track Brace Yourself which has guest appearances by US-based Fear Nuttin Band (in which co-producer Chris Regan plays guitar), and Jamaica's smooth-flowing 5 Star Celestial.

Sliding into a brick-hard hip-hop beat, Rat Patrol continues the vocal style Stephen Newland seems to have adopted for this release: a harsh, monotone and often angry delivery with some quite dissonant voiceovers. What is definitely an interesting stylistic device in the individual songs mentioned so far becomes a bit overwhelming and, imho, difficult to endure on album length.

Good thing that there are tracks to relax and exhale, too! One of those is the beautiful Warm Skin, a sensual love story. A special treat for reggae purists, it brings to our attention the amazing vocal talent of Ahbi Kufa, a Jamaican singer called Abigail McLawrence in real life. She also shines her light on Love For All and Diamonds, a dense, highly energetic composition which features an as always up-to-the-task Lutan Fyah.

A definite highlight is the cover version of Self Control, a fine remake produced by Natural High. Originally sung by Laura Branigan (1984), it is here interpreted by female vocalist Ada Nasiadka who participated in the 2019 edition of The Voice of Poland.

The album closes with Ark Of The Covenant and its corresponding dub, turning to biblical themes once more. At the same time, the song is a very illustrative example of above-mentioned quirkiness, sounding more like a rehearsal where everyone gets the chance to let off steam and get carried away with momentary inspiration, be it instrumentally or vocally. In the end, however, this just adds to the aura of mysticism and oddity of Stephen Newland, Rootz Underground and their new release A Dread Fire Tower – they are definitely no people pleasers and go, instead, wherever creativity takes them!

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