Radio LBB: Roots Vol.39

Now into its seventh year and the 39th edition. For the uninitiated, the Roots playlist showcases an eclectic range of music from across the globe of unfamiliar, forgotten, or recently discovered, to the most upfront sounds of now, all with the common theme of being rooted in Africa.

Some of the highlights this time round include:

​Cameo - Rigor Mortis

Word up! You’ll undoubtedly know Cameo from their Prince-esque 80s hits like Word Up and Candy, but their early work is well worth exploring too. Originally formed as the New York City Players, Rigor Mortis was one of their first hits as Cameo, released in 1977, playing a darkly humorous joke on the idea of rigor mortis as a metaphor for being paralysed by a funky groove. It’s in a more traditional funk and disco mould than their better known work, although already at this stage showing a penchant for splashy reverbs on the claps, bubblegum basslines and elasticated wah wah guitar.

Isaac Hayes - Joy Pt. 1

A lovely one here from undisputed legend, Isaac Hayes. His tireless work as a soul musician, composer, and producer and his deep baritone voice and lush orchestral arrangements helped define the sound of 1970s soul and R&B, via his work for the legendary Memphis label, Stax Records, and in 1972 he became the first Black musician to win an Oscar, with a Best Original Song award for his iconic Theme From Shaft. Joy Pt. 1, released the following year, opens with a spoken monologue over a slow-burning groove, gradually building into a rich tapestry of strings, horns, and layered vocals. It’s not just a song—it's a seduction, blending funk, soul, and orchestral grandeur into a hypnotic celebration of love and desire.

Fatback Brother Bill Curtis - Dance Girl

Okay, a hugely underappreciated bit of modern soul here and a crucial reference for hip hop heads! Known for his raw grooves and innovative use of rhythm, which contrasted with the slicker production styles of the time, Bill Curtis, founder and driving force behind the Fatback Band, also known as Fatback Brother Bill, is a pioneering drummer and producer who helped bridge the gap between funk, soul, and the emerging sounds of hip-hop and disco in the 1970s and early 1980s. The Fatback Band’s 1979 track King Tim III (Personality Jock) is considered by some to be the first hip hop recording. Dance Girl has an infectious, bass-driven groove layered with tight percussion, staccato guitar, and glossolalic call-and-response vocals that pulsate with energy and attitude. Relentlessly danceable music for the body!

Kenny Dorham - Lotus Blossom

Kenny Dorham was a highly respected jazz trumpeter and composer, known for his warm tone, lyrical phrasing, and contributions to the bebop and hard bop movements of the 1940s through the 1960s. Though often underrated compared to some of his contemporaries, Dorham played alongside legends like Charlie Parker, Art Blakey, and Horace Silver, and was a founding member of the Jazz Messengers. One of his standout compositions, Lotus Blossom, from the 1960 album Quiet Kenny, is a beautifully restrained ballad that showcases his nuanced approach to melody and mood. The tune unfolds with a gentle, almost meditative quality, as Dorham’s trumpet glides over a soft rhythm section, blending romanticism with subtle blues undertones.

Dynas & Slick Rick - Family Jewels

Family Jewels is a collaboration between Miami-based MC Dynas and legendary UK-born storyteller Slick Rick, known for his classic narrative flow and charismatic delivery. Released as part of Dynas’s 2009 album The Apartment, the track blends old-school storytelling with sharp, modern lyricism. Over a smooth, jazz-tinged beat, both rappers trade verses that reflect on legacy, fatherhood, values, and the passing down of wisdom—hence the title Family Jewels. Slick Rick delivers his verse with his signature wit and cadence, adding a layer of timeless charm, while Dynas holds his own with introspective bars that speak to generational responsibility and self-respect. The song is both soulful and thought-provoking, bridging eras of hip-hop through shared themes of heritage and identity.

João Bosco & Aldir Blanc - Incompatibilidade de Gênios

This one’s really gorgeous. ​Incompatibilidade de Gênios is a celebrated samba composition by Brazilian musicians João Bosco and Aldir Blanc, two of the most influential figures in Brazilian popular music, particularly known for their collaborative work during the 1970s and 1980s. Bosco’s intricate guitar work is rhythmically complex and percussive, blending samba, jazz, MPB, and Afro-Brazilian rhythms, while Blanc was a renowned lyricist and poet, known for his socially conscious lyrics, combining sharp wit, emotional insight, and cultural critique, often painting vivid portraits of Brazilian life. Together they combined sophisticated music with poetic, politically resonant lyrics, helping to shape the soundtrack of post-dictatorship Brazil. The lyrics here delve into the complexities of a tumultuous relationship, portraying a couple whose strong personalities and differing viewpoints lead to constant conflict.

These are just some of the highlights in what I hope is an enjoyable musical journey that spans across continents, generations and genres…

A huge thanks go out to labels such as Now Again, Light In The Attic, Numero Uno and Luv N’ Haight, Analog Africa, Music From Memory, Africa Seven, Far Out Recordings, Strut, Mr Bongo and Soundway, who continue to unearth some of the most unique and amazing music that may have otherwise never seen the light of day.