Bristol Archive's compilations "The Bristol Reggae Explosion 1978-1983" and its follow-up "The Bristol Reggae Explosion 2 - The 1980s", both continue to find new fans, and will soon be re-released with updated tracklistings. In the meantime they have borrowed an idea from their hugely successful Midlands Roots Explosion series and created a brand new exclusive vinyl compilation, "The Bristol Roots Explosion". The new LP naturally draws heavily on the first two Bristol Reggae Explosions, featuring firm favourites such as Joshua Moses' all time classic "Africa (Is Our Land)" produced by the great Dennis Bovell, Bunny Marrett's rare and almost impossible to find on the original 12" "Times Are Getting Harder" and Ron Green's 3D Productions "Riot", another track that's very difficult to find on its original 7" format. Also included are local legends Talisman, Big Roy and the Rhythmites. "The Bristol Roots Explosion" is exactly what the title says, a record that documents the West Country's take on roots reggae from the second half of the 1970s until the end of the 1980s...

Probably the first attempt to document the development of a localised British reggae scene and capture that unique period of the late seventies and early eighties. This is an incredible compilation from an incredible label ‘Bristol Archive’ who have collated and documented such an exciting period of Bristol’s music.

By Matt