Mcgregor, Freddie – Roots Man Skanking

“Another breezy old melody returns to the dancehalls in fine fashion with ‘Roots Man Skanking’. The Roots Radics revel in the possibilities, with the keyboards carrying the delicate melody in effervescent style, the guitar riffs are sharp but cheery, while the thumping bass and slamming drums powering the arrangement into the modern age. Producer Linval Thompson and mixer Scientist keep the accompaniment stark, but dubby in atmosphere, sending the drum beats booming like mortar fire. It’s an enticing sound, that is as iridescent as it is militant. It’s also the perfect backing for Freddie McGregor’s ode to the dancehalls and the rhythms that drive them. ‘Skanking’ is a glorious number, and indeed in 1982 ‘everyone rocked to the rhythm,’ just as the singer claimed” – Jo-Ann Greene, AllMusic.