Roots reggae carries memory, but it is not trapped in the past. Every generation has to decide what it will preserve, what it will build, and how it will keep the sound moving.
That spirit is present in Roots Man, a new release credited to Reggae Powerhouse Band, Fred Locks, and Mr Lee. The song arrives as part of Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends Series 2, the continuing project created and produced by Leroy Scarlett.
A roots connection with real weight
Fred Locks brings the authority of a roots-reggae veteran. Mr Lee, also known as Leroy Scarlett, brings the producer’s ear and the wider Reggae Powerhouse Band vision. Together, they connect the song to a tradition built on message, musicianship, and cultural memory.
The record is supported by a remarkable Jamaican studio lineup: drummer Sly Dunbar, bassist Robbie Shakespeare, keyboardists Robbie Lynn and Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul, saxophonist Dean Fraser, and percussionist Herman “Bongo Herman” Davis. Sound engineering credits include Errol Brown, Linford Marshall, and Delroy Pottinger.
That list tells part of the story before the first full listen: Roots Man is built inside a serious reggae musical tradition.
Leroy Scarlett’s continuing vision
The Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends project is larger than a single artist or session. Its purpose is to bring voices and musicians together around the strength of reggae music. Series 2 continues that direction, extending the project’s Jamaican foundation through collaborations connected across generations and territories.
For Mr Lee, “Roots Man” is another expression of that work. He is credited as the producer and as one of the lyricists, alongside Stafford Elliott, the birth name of Fred Locks.
The sound keeps moving
Reggae legacy only stays alive when artists continue to create inside it. “Roots Man” represents that movement: a veteran roots voice, a producer with a long view, and a band identity built around musicianship and connection.
Listen to “Roots Man” on YouTube.
The song is part of Reggae Powerhouse Band & Friends Series 2, released through the Reggae Powerhouse Band label and distributed by Virgin Music Group.
Reggae does not survive by imitation. It survives when the foundation is respected and the next record is still made. “Roots Man” is part of that next chapter.
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