THE CONGOS CALL FOR A REGGAE REVIVAL
When Reggae Revival first echoed from Jamaican studios in 1997, it sounded like a time capsule cracked open. The Congos, guardians of roots reggae’s soul, gathered their instruments and voices to summon the spirit of the 1970s once more. Played and recorded live, the track carried the pulse of a movement that had shaped their beginnings two decades earlier.
Cedric Myton’s soaring falsetto and Roydel Ashanti Johnson’s bright tenor intertwined with Watty Burnett’s deep baritone to form the group’s unmistakable sound. They crafted harmonies steeped in faith and rhythm, blending their voices into a sound that was both soulful and timeless.
This digital release also includes an instrumental and an extended edit, both serving as meditations on the same enduring message.
THE CONGOS, GUARDIANS OF ROOTS REGGAE’S SOUL
Formed in 1977, The Congos rose through Jamaica’s bustling reggae scene, working alongside Sly Dunbar, Ernest Ranglin, and “Sticky” Thompson. Their dedication to live performance and spiritual truth gave their music a sense of honesty that technology could not reproduce.
Years later, writer Dutty Bookman adopted the phrase Reggae Revival to define a new generation of conscious artists, including Kabaka Pyramid, Chronixx, Protoje, Jah9, Jesse Royal and Lila Iké, among them. Each carried the torch forward, keeping the tradition alive that The Congos helped light.
Reggae Revival endures as a reminder of reggae’s roots and its power to call people back to the heart of the music.
ABOUT THE CONGOS
In the late 1970s, Cedric Myton and Roydel Ashanti Johnson began recording in Jamaica, seeking a sound that captured the soul of roots reggae. Soon joined by Watty Burnett, they created Heart of the Congos at Lee Scratch Perry’s Black Ark studio, a record that still resonates decades later.
Their harmonies carried through Congo Ashanti, Revival, and Give Them The Rights, shaping reggae’s golden era. The Congos’ music continues to inspire, blending spirit and rhythm with a timeless storytelling.
