Roots Radics Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Reggae Dub Roots reggae Rocksteady old school dancehall

Members

Select a Roots Radics band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

Dwight Pinkney

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Zap Pow

No gear added

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Errol "Flabba" Holt

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Dub Syndicate Mark Stewart & Maffia Maffia

No gear added

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David Madden

Roles:

Music Producer

Groups:

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers Zap Pow

No gear added

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Dean Fraser

Roles:

Music Producer

Groups:

Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers

No gear added

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Style Scott

Roles:

Drummer Music Producer

Groups:

Dub Syndicate Mark Stewart & Maffia Radical Dance Faction Playgroup Maffia

No gear added

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Gladstone Anderson

Roles:

Keyboardist

No gear added

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Winston "Bo-Peep" Bowen

Roles:

Guitarist

No gear added

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Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson

Roles:

Keyboardist

Groups:

Steely & Clevie

No gear added

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Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont

Roles:

Singer Guitarist

Groups:

Maffia

No gear added

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Phil Ramocon
No gear added

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About

Roots Radics is a legendary Jamaican reggae band renowned for their significant role in shaping the roots reggae and dancehall movements. Formed in the late 1970s, the group emerged from the remnants of the Channel One session band, The Revolutionaries. The core members include Errol "Flabba" Holt (bass), Eric "Bingy Bunny" Lamont (guitar), and Lincoln "Style" Scott (drums), among others who contributed to their evolving lineup. Roots Radics carved their niche with a sound that bridges roots reggae, dub, and rocksteady, providing a rhythmic backbone for a multitude of artists, including Gregory Isaacs and Bunny Wailer.

How to Sound Like Roots Radics

To capture the distinctive sound of Roots Radics, musicians should focus on creating a deep, groovy bass foundation coupled with minimalist yet potent guitar rhythms. The band's arrangements are characterized by tight, syncopated grooves and a heavy emphasis on bass and drum interactions, often resulting in a mesmerizing, hypnotic vibe. Utilizing analog delay and reverb effects can help recreate the spacious and ambient quality often found in their dub-influenced tracks. Warm tube amps are ideal for achieving the rich, vintage tones that underpin their music. Drummers should aim for a steady, laid-back approach, ensuring each beat complements the ensemble without overpowering it, while guitarists can employ subtle chorus and flange effects to enhance the overall texture. This combination of rhythmic precision and atmospheric production is essential for emulating the enduring sound of Roots Radics.