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VA - Rootdown Allstars Vol.1 / Rootdown Records / 2003

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Rootdown Records belong to those labels which pushed native-tongue-reggae in Germany to serious heights. After people like Gentleman and Tolga made patois-lyrics reggae fashionable, Rootdown artists like Nattflo and Nosliw proved that the same thing could be possible with German lyrics. After two 7" riddim selections and various EP's, the time was ripe for a compliation, and here it goes. Rootdown Allstars #1 comes along with the most successful Rootdown tunes, spiced up with some previously unreleased material as well.
The compilation opens up with a brand-new Nosliw roots tune. "Wie Weit" contains critical lyrics in tradition of his hit-single on the Doctors Darling riddim, backed by a nice roots riddim out of Teka's hands. Following up is Maxim's tune that was already included in the Coming selection. The label newcomer definetely delivers some "energy" here over that powerful bashment riddim. Next tune is an exclusive Allstars track, featuring the whole Rootdown artists bunch. The lyrics are praising the achievements of the label, the riddim is typical Teka bashment style combinded wuith some hip Diwali-style claps. Fourth tune is the well-known "Mein Weed" by Nikitaman, featuring the perhaps most convincing pro-ganja lyrics in Germany. An old tune already, but a must-have. Next is Nattyflo coming up with a preview for his forthcoming solo album, a beautiful love-declaration towards music.
Now it's time for Criminal, one half of the dancehall dou Raggabund, who deliveres a Spanish tune here. My Spanish knowledge is too rusty to get the whole lyrics, but as far as I understand, they deal with capitalism and its disadvantages. Nice tune with a kinda Buju flow.

The seventh tune comes from Miss Mono, the female star on the label, and deals with soundboy killing. Nice to have German tunes finally dealing with this fine aspect of reggae culture, and the lyrics are really clever, but I don't know if it'll advance to a real soundkiller tune in Germany. We'll see... Next one is a new tune on the rather aged, but still fresh, Racer riddim. "Niggiman 2000" is a self-manifestating tune from Nikitaman, proving once again his deejay skills. Next comes a remix of Nosliw gal-tune "Boaah", layed on a supreme riddim. That new Teka creation features hyping strings and a fast pace, and would deserve its own 7" selection for sure. After that follows another nice, but not outstanding, tune by Maxim, and then Criminal comes with another Spanish tune with a nice lyrical pace, though losing something through its hiphop-esque intrumental. Then we have another tune by Mono, layed on perhaps the nicest roots riddims Take ever layed. 70s stuff comes up to one's mind, productions like Junior Byles' "Fade Away". The vocal touch of this tune is, just as the riddim, really intrigueing and nearly hypnotizing, but unfortunately, may it result from recording flaws or from Mono's style of pronounciation, I nearly don't get any single word of the lyrics. Too bad, as the tune is really tuff. The compilation ends - how could it be else? - with the tune that made people speak about Rootdown for the first time: Nattyflo's classic "Roots". "In der Vergangenheit liegt die Zukunft" - "In the past lies the future", and let us hope the future will turn out nice for Rootdown.

The compilation comes with a nice booklet, and since a few days you can also get in as limited edition vinyl, featuring a few more instrumental versions. If you're interested to check out the cream of the crop in German-language reggae, order the compilation here.

Tracklist:

1. Nosliw - Wie Weit
2. Maxim - Energie
3. Allstars - Es geht los
4. Nikitaman - Mein Weed
5. Nattyflo - In den schönsten Farben
6. Criminal - Mi Senor
7. Mono - Soundbwoy Dead
8. Nikitaman - Niggiman 2000
9. Nosliw - Boahh! Remix
10. Maxim - Paradies
11. Criminal - Reflexionando
12. Mono - Darf ich mich freuen
13. Nattyflo - Roots

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