So… yeah, like so many folks, Bob Marley’s Legend introduced me to reggae music. I can recall hearing my dad’s copy of the album when I was 13 or 14 and soon after, it joined my own CD collection. But as where most people I know stopped there, I continued to delve deeper and deeper into all things Rastafari.
From the Wailers I branched into the solo careers of Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer. I head- bobbed to I-Roy, Steel Pulse and Burning Spear. I learned that ska was the grandfather of reggae music and listened to Prince Buster, Jimmy Cliff and Delroy Wilson. Roots Express channels all of these innovators into their own blend of roots music.
Featuring members from Bisbee, Colorado City, El Mirage, Peoria and Phoenix, the Roots Express crew has Arizona covered. I first heard them when they entered our Best “Summer Song” Contest this year with “Hang In There,” an inspiring tune that had many on the staff rating it 5 out of 5 stars. It received third place and sent good vibes throughout the office.
Roots Express plays reggae in a very modern way. While listening to their tracks I hear hints of contemporary artists like John Brown’s Body, Rocker-T, Matisyahu and Warrior King. The band is in the process of recording their first album Get Onboard, due to be released in February of the coming year. On the 30th of this month they’ll play at the First Annual Reggae-Zona Roots Festival at Palo Verde Pass in Buckeye. Kolumn, Tony Culture and other artists from Jamaica and the surrounding islands will join Arizona bands Purple Kush and Rasta Farmers, to name but a few.
I recently asked Billy what he thought of the reggae scene in Arizona. He expressed his admiration for all the reggae artists who have taken the time to give back to their community through different charitable events. Peace, love and unity truly are what define reggae music. Using conscious lyrics that refresh your spirit, reggae spreads awareness with its community message. “Whether the reggae scene is or isn’t ‘happening’ out here in the gun-toting-wild-wild-west-immigrant-chasing-politicians-and-racist-sheriffs-in-the-desert-of-Arizona, is of no real concern unless someone in an official position says ‘hey we can't have reggae music in our town anymore.’” Well said Billy, well said.
Billy Keys is the front man and keyboardist for Roots Express, an Arizona reggae band featuring members from around the state. Together they play upbeat, contemporary reggae with a solid “roots” feel. As an avid reggae listener, it was a welcome joy to hear Roots Express and discover something about what Arizona reggae has to offer.
