Roots Round Up has just released their newest album, "Up Rooted," under Sudden Death Records. This is their sixth full-length album, and it’s a treat for fans of Roots Rock, Reggae, Ska, and Dub music. The album was recorded at Simian Studios in Burnaby, BC, by Stephen Hamm, and mixed and mastered by Chris Wardman, a well-known Canadian music producer.
"Up Rooted" has 12 tracks. It includes six new original songs, a cover of DOA's classic "War in the East," and a unique take on the Sarcastic Mannequins' "Red Fury." There are also four live recordings from a performance on Denman Island, BC, in June 2023. David Hathaway, a band member, said, “Roots Round Up has always been more about the live shows than the recorded output. The live songs were captured at our first full show after the pandemic had settled down, and we were more than a little excited to be playing again.”
Roots Round Up has been a big part of the Canadian music scene for many years. The band members, Greg Hathaway, David "Dymitri" Hanna, David Hathaway, Keith Rose, Mark Campbell, Eric Napier, and Bradford Lambert, create a high-energy and diverse sound. They formed in East Vancouver in 1985 and became well-known across Canada during the late '80s and early '90s. Their music blends rock 'n roll, reggae, ska, afro-beat, folk, funk, and punk.
Their new album, "Up Rooted," touches on various themes. "Relief" talks about social issues like addiction and war. "Nobots" is about artificial intelligence and whether AI can feel emotions. Their cover of "War in the East" by DOA shows that the song is still important even after 40 years.
Roots Round Up plans to continue touring and performing at festivals, clubs, and community halls throughout BC and beyond. Their music is a mix of roots rock, reggae, dub, and ska, with some psychedelic and punk rock influences. "Up Rooted" is available for order in record stores or online across Canada, the US, the UK, and other places. Listening to "Up Rooted" feels like an energetic fusion of rock, reggae, and ska that makes you want to dance and reflect all at once.
