As the 1970's turned into the 1980's, Reggae's beat took another turn, slowing down to allow more space for the music to breathe. The new sound became Reggae's focus and the Roots Radics, one of Jamaica's finest session/backing bands, were at the forefront of this radical change.
The Roots Radics were based around the nucleus of Errol ‘Flabba’ Holt (bass), Lincoln Valentine ‘Style’ Scott (drums), and Eric ‘Bingi Bunny’ Lamont (guitar).
Holt and Bingi Bunny had previously been involved in setting up the Morwells label, and had cut some popular tunes such as ‘Swine and Dine’, ‘They Hold Us Down’, and the great ‘Kingston Twelve Tuffy’. Before this, Bunny had played for one of the other great Reggae sessions bands, the Channel One based Revolutionaires. It was the demise of this legendary band due to Sly and Robbie's Taxi label commitments that led to the formation of the Roots Radics.
The Radics have worked with many different producers over the years, including Linval Thompson with the series of alums ‘Space Invaders Destroy the World’ and ‘Win the World Cup’. They also worked as Gregory Isaacs backing band, and were responsible for the rhythms that made up his seminal ‘Night Nurse’ set.