Led by saxophonist Barney Rachabane, Roots formed in South Africa in 1975 and recorded just two albums before disbanding. This self-titled debut features half a dozen instrumentals that call to mind some of the music Donald Byrd was making with the Mizzell brothers around the same time: mellow, breezy, sunshiney soul-funk-jazz hooks providing a framework for extended solos. Trumpeter Dennis Mpale's wet-lipped buzzing growl evokes a grittier vibe than Byrd's pristine peals, while Rachabane's alto is a mellifluous balm and Duke Makasi's tenor occasionally dips into the mysterious sonorities of the Ethiopian shellela, as popularised by saxophonist Getatchew Mekurya. The title track comes on like a slowed-down version of Archie Bell & The Drells' party-starter ‘Tighten Up’ with a laid-back guitar strum; but the stand-out number is ‘Emakhaya,’ a soporific, bluesy vamp with fluttering flute and a deliciously high-strung guitar solo. A special shout-out goes to drummer Peter Morake who squeezes in some very tight double kick-drum work and cheeky hi-hat snits. Reissued for the first time, this satisfying archival nugget casts new light on a little-known corner of the South African prog-jazz scene.