Cultural Roots

Once considered Jamaica’s most “elusive vocal trio” the group defined the era of heavy roots and dub reggae in the 1980’s before Dancehall changed the international reggae landscape. Today the seven piece band brings reimagined songs from their extensive catalogue to life.

Cultural Roots worked throughout the 1980’s with top producers such as Donovan Germain, Henry “Junjo” Lawes, and Mad Professor producing classic albums Hell A Go Pop, Drift Away from Evil, Rougher Yet , and Money, Sex and Violence. (Greensleeves, VP Records)

The band remains a favorite among reggae historians and record collectors and since the group disbanded in the early 1990’s a resurgence of interest in the music has made their albums highly collectible. Countless remakes of original Cultural Roots songs have been produced and recently the Mad Professor album “Roots of Dubstep” featured a version of their hit “Mr Bossman” aimed at educating younger audiences about the source of much of popular electronic music today.

In the 1990’s frontman Wade Dyce relocated from Jamaica to Salem, MA where he has been living ever since. The legendary singer has kept DJ’s and reggae fans interested in his solo work with releases such as “Money Mare” and “Humble” becoming popular soundsystem tracks particularly in the UK. In 2015 talks began around reforming Cultural Roots and bringing the rhythms of their classic albums to audiences today. Dyce teamed up with Boston musician Jake Pardee to assemble a full band featuring Wade Dyce, Nadia Robertson and Masso Beauvais on vocals, Jake Pardee on guitar, Jay McGuinness on keyboards, Erik Bistany on bass, and Sam Ward on drums. Cultural Roots will be performing in theaters and reggae festivals internationally starting Spring 2017.