Roots Operator

33 years anniversary 1977 - 2010

Roots Operator, Propaganda Ltd, Hardstrasse 69, 8004 Zürich, Switzerland

E-mail Reggae@propaganda.ch
homepage http://www.Propaganda.ch/Reggae

Roots Operator Pictures Do you speak Reggae? Deutscher Text Typical Flyers

33 Years ago the Roots Operator from Zurich Switzerland had the aim to promote Reggae Music with all its different styles in the heart of Europe. At that time, Reggae music was rather unknown, and if, then only for Bob Marley. After a few parties at various venues in Zurich, the first Reggae newspaper written entirely in German language was founded - "I-tal Muzik", featuring very revolutionary writings and being distributed all over Germany and Switzerland. Reggae Workshops were organisied, about the history of Reggae music and the socio cultural background of Rasta. The first Swiss Reggae Radioshows went into the air in 1979, first illegally over an underground station. Later that same station would be licensed as Radio LoRa, where the Reggae programs are still in the air on FM 97.5 after so many years. Through the eighties lectures and seminars about Reggae, Rasta and Sound systems were given at high schools and at the Völkerkunde (ethnology) institute of the University of Zurich. Twentyeight years ago, the first parts of the mobile Reggae Sound System were hand built with the help of experienced Jamaican sound engineer Ruben Seals. Over the years, the Roots Operator Sound System was continually improved and enforced, and would be touring all over. On one hand the Roots Operators technical know how, on the other hand his numerous contacts to the very fruitful London Reggae scene, and very tight connections to foundation sound systems as Jack Ruby Hi Power and recording studios in Jamaica as King Tubbys and Prince Jammys, merged to a sound never seen before on the continent, who was well ahead of his time.

Always struggling hard for Reggae music, the Roots Operator organised hundreds of sessions, and infected thousands of people with the very contageous Reggae-virus. Over all these years the sound system would never stop play, even though sometimes under hostile conditions. Reggae sessions were kept in Germany, in England, in Italy - unforgettable nights under moon and stars - and all over Switzerland. Many singers and Deejays were brought in from England and Jamaica, to enlighten the crowd for a night.

Sound system sessions are like a "live" event, because the operator mixes and alters the sound in a special way, adding various effects, so that the turntable ends up to be an instrument more than just a record player. On the mixing console new versions are created, in the original tradition of King Tubbys the inventor of Dub. Moreover, exclusive studio-recordings, so called Dub Plates and Specials are introduced, which will never be released to the public. Additionally deejays will rap or "toast" live to the music. The Deejays are the talking newspapers of the underpriviledged and downpressed masses. They are not afraid of addressing problems and injusties on the microphone. More than just being entertaining their lyrics speak against racism, against oppression and against exploitation; they stand for an equal distribution of wealth, more freedom, peace and love in the real sense.

Every month the hottest records arrive from Kingston - the capital of Jamaica - straight to the turntable, where to European less known artists of the ghettos will get a chance to bring their message over to a remote crowd. Roots Reggae, Dub and Lovers, as well as the latest Dancehall and Raggamuffin will get a treatment by the Roots Operator, who will come along with a bunch of local selectors and deejays as well as Jamaican singers. Roots Operator sessions are known for its high quality and loved for their peaceful bringing together of many different peoples.

No other Sound System in Europe has been playing Reggae music non stop for 33 years. The Roots Operator sessions are truly historical, and have survived all other styles, fashions and music tastes through the decades. Even in 2007 the sessions are well attended by 400 to 800 reggae lovers every time.

for RECORD PRODUCTIONS see Labels on Roots Operator pictures page

Do you speak Reggae? Jamaican dictionary
Jamaican phrases and proverbs
Deutscher Text, german text
Typical Flyers

SOUND CLIPS should be soon available if time is there, as I'm always too busy and working hard