Mo Kolours makes his debut on Bristol’s Waggle Dance Records, collaborating with label founder Eeyun Purkins and his band The Co-Operators. Their “Fruits Of The Diaspora” is an album that aims to capture an authentic roots reggae sound. Setting its sights on something decidedly organic, employing traditional instruments, such as the maroon pipe, sakara, marovanne, ravanne and other handcrafted drums, alongside funky, electric fretwork and bright, upbeat, bubbling, Jackie Mittoo-esque Hammond B3.

The opening cut “Le Morne” is a conga-led cut of jazz in the jungle. A hot hit of aural humidity. Spiced with possessed, spiritual exclamations, aped wildlife calls and field recordings. The song’s lyrics a little Last Poets. The grounation groove of “Watch H.I.M. Move”, with its descriptions of the daily, natural routine of Rastafari’s holy men from the hills, recalls the righteous words of Ras Michael, while “Bare Feet”, similarly, continues the since time teachings of leaders like Kiddus I and Ijahman Levi. “Gold & Indigo”’s mournful delivery had me thinking of Joe Yorke, not coincidently another Waggle Dance regular.  

Full of sweetly sung messages of positivity, peace, love and heartfelt hymns to Jah, Bob Marley and The Wailers are clearly a big influence. This can be heard particularly on the soulful sufferers’ “Don’t Ask Me Why”, which rails, in time honoured fashion, against Babylon, technology, and preaches a return to nature and harmony. The presence of Marley’s musical co-conspirator Lee Scratch Perry is also felt in the delay-drenched percussion patterns and splashes of extravagant echo. The whole vibe is very contemporary Nyabinghi. 

Mo Kolours & The Co-Operators’ “Fruits Of The Diaspora” can be ordered directly from Waggle Dance Records.