Misty in roots
Misty in Roots are a reggae band that formed in London in the early 1970s .
history
1975–1982: The beginnings
At the beginning of the mid-1970s as Nicky Thomas' backing band, they drew motivation and inspiration from this collaboration to develop their own pieces. In accordance with the mood of political upheaval in England in 1977/1978, Misty in Roots developed her own interpretation of roots reggae, on which African culture and spiritual awakening were sung about. It was precisely this mood of upheaval that ensured the band's increasing political commitment; Among other things, Misty in Roots was one of the driving forces behind Rock Against Racism , a movement that arose out of protest against growing racism and the increasing importance of the fascist National Front . On behalf of this movement, Misty in Roots played many solidarity concerts as one of the most active participating groups, from which developed the well-known live potential that distinguished this formation early on.
Accordingly, the first album, Live at the Counter Eurovision, was recorded during a gig in Belgium in 1978, but was not released until a year later. In 1982 the second album Wise & Foolish was created , on which influences from soul and jazz were also processed.
1982–1987: trips to Africa
The desire to maintain their own independence led the group to undertake a nine-month trip to Africa in 1982, during which they visited Zimbabwe and Zambia. These trips should have a major impact on the initially last few years of work together. So the next two albums were directly influenced and inspired by these trips. The album Earth , released in 1983, denounces the destruction of the earth through ignorance and cruelty.
Musi O Tunya was released two years later, in 1985, and, according to their own statements, reflects the band's deep affection for Africa. This refers to the imposing natural spectacle that the Victoria Falls offer - Musi O Tunya means something like cracking smoke .
During 1987 the group embarked on a long journey to West Africa, their own homeland, whose re-entry is compared to returning from exile. During this trip, Duxie Tyson , one of the brothers who formed the creative backbone of the band, was killed in a swimming accident. This sad chapter of the band's history is not mentioned in the official presentation and is dealt with in a few words as a whole.
1988–1989: Release of the last album for the time being
Before the group took a musical hiatus that would last a decade, the album Forward was released in 1989 , which is due to the developing friendship between the band and Kaz Records , and was another high point of the band's work.
1999–2005: resumption of joint work
Around the turn of the millennium, there was a reunification and resumption of joint work, which, contrary to the trends of the 1990s, seamlessly continued with the last styles. With the reunion album Roots Controller, another roots reggae album was released in 2002, which does not show the long break in their joint work.
Since then, the band has been on tour again, and has inspired many people at reggae festivals such as the Chiemsee Reggae Festival 2001.
Members
- Walford "Poko" Tyson
- Anthony "Tsungi" Henry
- Delford "Tawanga" Briscoe
- Lawrence "Kaziwayi" Crossfield
- Joseph "Tunga" Charley
- Nils Hailstone
- Winstone "Winston" Rose
- Barry
Discography
- Live At Counter Eurovision (1979)
- Wise & Foolish (1982)
- Earth (1983)
- Musi O Tunya (1985)
- Forward (1989)
- John Peel Sessions (1995)
- Jah Sees ... Jah Knows (1997)
- Roots Controller (2002)