The Gladiators Back To Roots

• The Gladiators – Marcus Garvey Time
• The Gladiators – God Bless
• The Gladiators – The Race
• The Gladiators – Guts
• The Gladiators – Rich Man Poor Man

• 1. Marcus Garvey Time
• 2. God Bless
• 3. The Race
• 4. Guts
• 5. Rich Man Poor Man
• 6. No Wrong Idea
• 7. Follow The Rainbow
• 8. The Warriors
• 9. Prayer To Jah
• 10. Street Of Freedom

 Back to Roots  perfectly sums up this set's sound. No longer dependent on guesting musicians, the group was now a self-contained unit with a lineup including drummer Stanley "Barnabas" Bryan, lead guitarist Clinton Rufus, and keyboardist Audley Taylor, and fleshed out by percussionist Zoot "Skully" Simms and the brass of Bobby Ellis, Felix "Deadly Headly" Bennett, and Dave Madden. Self-produced and recorded at Channel One studios, the Gladiators create a deep roots sound from the minor-key melodies, with the swollen atmospheres conjured up by the obligatory militant beats, throbbing basslines, and sharp riffs that swell around the brass and keyboards.  Songs like "Marcus Garvey Time," "God Bless," "Prayer to Jah," and "Rich Man Poor Man" are the standouts, the latter one of several cuts on which Clinton Fearon takes lead vocals.