Wonderful reggae music from the Fiji Islands, not just cover songs but originals. A myriad of local musicians were involved plus the commercial radio station FM96 (Suva, Fiji) provided the sound "massaging" facilities
I love this sort of music, no major labels involved, homegrown great music from the band.
So, just who were the muso's involved with this recording?
Over there is Freddie Fisaitu on guitar and vocals, then there is Kit on the Drums (I'm not kidding!) and Claude Larry on 2nd guitar. Nato is doing his bass thang and right over "there" is Tui Ravai on keyboards along with Isikeli Delaivuna also on keyboards. Crowded into the room are the backing vocalists, who include Francis Lanyon, Steve Macamba, Dennis Montu, Ioane Burese and Sairusi N.
Credit is also given to William Parkinson of FM96 for the use of their studio facilities at the station.
While seeing if anyone still remembers this group, I found this FB gem of a video where one of the original band members has chat about "them were the days"...
"The Gem"
ROOTSTRATA - The Message Is The Music
Multicultural Music Productions
Cat# MMP 001
1986 (ish - not stated on the packaging)
Fuji Islands release
Standard clear cassette case is in good condition, meaning there are no cracks or pieces missing, although a scuff mark "here and there". Mono printed paper label attached to each side of the clamshell.
I like these clamshells, this is the 4x screw type which means if ever you needed to get inside (lube job etc) there are no problems accessing the tape although you need to be extremely careful otherwise you will have a room full of tape!
Before playing I repacked the tape (wound fully forward then backwards to the beginning so that the tape is re-tensioned) and carefully visually inspected the clamshell, rollers and head pressure pad - no issues with the shell or tape at all.
The audio is clean and the sound quality is very good, and there were no problems heard at all with "drop outs" and the program material has been played entirely on both Side A & Side B
TRACKS: Warrior Of Love (big hit at the time in Fiji), Life, Another Day, Survival, Rootsman On The Road, Fiji Time, Almighty Jah, Young Generation, Unem Lament, The Performer's Song
There are more interesting video's online at the usual haunts, People Of The World is a good watch (and great music!)
