Roots

The "Outernational" Roots is a veteran of the Washington-Baltimore reggae community. Having cut his professional teeth in the late eighties in a local band, Irie Ites, which opened for international acts like Inner Circle, playing and touring with Carl Malcolm and Positive Vibration was a natural progression.

As a bassist, singer, and composer, he grew on to play in various local groups, including Unity and Anointed Souls as well as session work for artists varied as the rootsy Ichelle Cole to dancehall artists like Ghost and Roundhead.

Roots

Rivers

Jah B

E

Sir Oz

Anointed Souls, featuring his partner in rhyme, Danny Dread, was passed the reggae torch, and they lit hearts locally (including opening for Tony Rebel and Black Uhuru), as well as regionally (Virginia to New York). And the beat went on into the roots, rock, reggae quartet named Soundation -- featured regularly in Washington locales like The Lion's Den, Bukom Cafe, Takoma Station, and Cafe Nema.

Nominated in 2000 by the Washington Area Reggae Awards as best improved group, Soundation, also received local radio airplay thanks to irie folk like D.J. Jaybone at WPFW. From Soundation, the baton has been passed to Talawa.

The strength that Talawa represents is love. It is the same love found in the spirit of musical improvisations. The spirit in the work and legacies of such varied people as Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Willie Colon, Nina Simone, John Lennon, Joseph Hill, Phillipe Wynn, Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Mongo Santamaria, among a host of others.

Favorite Slogan: "It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice."

Big Mac