Roots & Herbs
Live From Moonsplash 2006
Intro (Featuring Iwandai I)
Band Intro
The Battle's On
Know Your Roots
Intro (Featuring Iwandai I)
Band Intro
The Battle's On
Know Your Roots
| Pictures From The St. Kitts & Nevis Music Festival - June 30, 2006 |
Bankie Banx and the Roots & Herbs revolutionized Caribbean music beginning
with their first mega-hit in 1978.
Between 1976 and 1984 the group recorded and toured throughout the Caribbean
and left an indelible mark on the culture and consciousness of the region.
Roots & Herbs emerged at a time of social awareness in the Caribbean when
many of the islands found themselves officially free from the colonial hierarchy
of the British Empire, yet struggling to find an identity.
Reggae music, with it's Rastafarian influences, was at the forefront of a
progressive movement that promoted spiritual grounding, self reliance and self
respect. Regionally, many of the elite saw Rasta as a dangerous cult and a
threat to the status quo and many islands engaged in state-sanctioned
harassment of Rastafarians.
Rasta and reggae music have been inextricably intertwined, and Jamaica was
the epicenter of both Rasta and reggae. The music and message spread and
influenced a group of young men and women on Anguilla in a way that could not
have been imagined. From one of the smallest and least populated islands in
the English-speaking Caribbean came one of the most potent and influential
forces in reggae music.
Bankie Banx and the Roots & Herbs provided reggae music that was truly
innovative. The band's music introduced subtle elements of jazz, R&B and other
influences of each of the band members. The lyrics also reflected a depth that
had yet to be reached in reggae music. The group's song "Prince of Darkness"
was routinely played in churches throughout the Eastern Caribbean until it was
discovered that the songwriter was a dreadlocks Rasta.
If time is the true judge of an artist's work then Bankie Banx and The Roots &
Herbs have passed the test. The band reunited for a legendary 30th Anniversary
performance during Moonsplash 2006 at The Dune Preserve on Anguilla.
with their first mega-hit in 1978.
Between 1976 and 1984 the group recorded and toured throughout the Caribbean
and left an indelible mark on the culture and consciousness of the region.
Roots & Herbs emerged at a time of social awareness in the Caribbean when
many of the islands found themselves officially free from the colonial hierarchy
of the British Empire, yet struggling to find an identity.
Reggae music, with it's Rastafarian influences, was at the forefront of a
progressive movement that promoted spiritual grounding, self reliance and self
respect. Regionally, many of the elite saw Rasta as a dangerous cult and a
threat to the status quo and many islands engaged in state-sanctioned
harassment of Rastafarians.
Rasta and reggae music have been inextricably intertwined, and Jamaica was
the epicenter of both Rasta and reggae. The music and message spread and
influenced a group of young men and women on Anguilla in a way that could not
have been imagined. From one of the smallest and least populated islands in
the English-speaking Caribbean came one of the most potent and influential
forces in reggae music.
Bankie Banx and the Roots & Herbs provided reggae music that was truly
innovative. The band's music introduced subtle elements of jazz, R&B and other
influences of each of the band members. The lyrics also reflected a depth that
had yet to be reached in reggae music. The group's song "Prince of Darkness"
was routinely played in churches throughout the Eastern Caribbean until it was
discovered that the songwriter was a dreadlocks Rasta.
If time is the true judge of an artist's work then Bankie Banx and The Roots &
Herbs have passed the test. The band reunited for a legendary 30th Anniversary
performance during Moonsplash 2006 at The Dune Preserve on Anguilla.
| Idy Akono |
| Bankie Banx and Irino Hodge (Background) |
| Roots & Herbs Poster |
| Ras B |
| Roland "Idullo" Richardson |
| Bankie Banx and Iwandai I. Gumbs |
Know Your Roots:
Credits from the album "Roots & Herbs"
Musicians - Bankie Banx and The Roots & Herbs
Bankie Banx -Lead vocals, Organ, Fender Rhodes, Acoustic
Guitar, Acoustic piano, Synthesizer
Tony (Irino) Hodge - Lead guitar, First Rhythm Guitar
Rolland (Idullo) Richardson - Second Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar
Idy Akano - Background Vocals, Percussion
Valdama Brooks - Flute, Percussion, Background Vocals
Sonia & Amelia Vanterpool - First Background Voice
Sandra Vanterpool - Second Background Voice
Islie Dabashia - Percussion, Bass, Rhythm Guitar
Keith (Tasha Sitole) Richardson - Drums, Percussion
Iwandai I. Gumbs - Emcee
Production
Producers: Bankie Banx, Jules Charville
Production Assistant: Iwandai I. Gumbs
I
Technical
Recorded at:
Masterpiece (Papa Sanchez & C. Andrickson)
Compass Point, Bahamas (J. Nuber)
Mixed at Masterpiece
Mixed by Carlos Andrickson
Re-Mastered at Sound Track Studio, NYC by Frank Verderost
Credits from the album "Roots & Herbs"
Musicians - Bankie Banx and The Roots & Herbs
Bankie Banx -Lead vocals, Organ, Fender Rhodes, Acoustic
Guitar, Acoustic piano, Synthesizer
Tony (Irino) Hodge - Lead guitar, First Rhythm Guitar
Rolland (Idullo) Richardson - Second Rhythm Guitar, Bass Guitar
Idy Akano - Background Vocals, Percussion
Valdama Brooks - Flute, Percussion, Background Vocals
Sonia & Amelia Vanterpool - First Background Voice
Sandra Vanterpool - Second Background Voice
Islie Dabashia - Percussion, Bass, Rhythm Guitar
Keith (Tasha Sitole) Richardson - Drums, Percussion
Iwandai I. Gumbs - Emcee
Production
Producers: Bankie Banx, Jules Charville
Production Assistant: Iwandai I. Gumbs
I
Technical
Recorded at:
Masterpiece (Papa Sanchez & C. Andrickson)
Compass Point, Bahamas (J. Nuber)
Mixed at Masterpiece
Mixed by Carlos Andrickson
Re-Mastered at Sound Track Studio, NYC by Frank Verderost
