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As only a live band it was called Misty. First albums were two live albums 1979 created by help from toilers in England and Sweden: Live at the Counter Eurovision and Misty Over Sweden. Both records are full of Rastafarian and anti-fascist songs. They were favoured by BBC Radio DJ John Peel, helping to bring roots reggae bands to a more mixed West European audience. With a career spanning 5 decades, they are one of the UK’s finest reggae groups. The band was one of the most powerful live reggae acts to emerge from 1970s London, and they were a major force in the Rock Against Racism movement.
This British based roots reggae band Misty first came together in 1974, as backing band for well known Jamaican reggae bands and artists performing in London. One was the late, great Nicky Thomas - one of Jamaica's all time greats who had achieved national chart success with songs such as "Love Of The Common People". Nicky Thomas was a great inspirer for Misty In Roots.
By 1978 Misty In Roots began to develop their own orthodox roots reggae sound. Their powerful lyrics inspired by the economic decline, a growing awareness of their African culture, and a spiritual awakening inspired tracks as "Ghetto Of The City", "Sodom & Gomorrah" and "Mankind", all off which can be found on the band's first album "Live At The Counter Eurovision" and the 'twin album' "Misty Over Sweden", recorded on their tour in Sweden 1979.
During the period 1977-78 the political situation in the U.K. was a breaking point. Black consciousness was at its peak and racism roamed the streets of London. Unemployment was affecting both black and white youths and through this depression a new musical alliance was born, young white youths totally fed up with the status quo turned to playing punk music whilst at the same time identifying strongly with the British reggae acts as Misty In Roots, Steel Pulse and Aswad. With the coming of the ‘Rock against Racism’ movement, the musical fight-back had begun, and for the first time black and white musicians were playing together on the same platform bringing about a totally new concept in musical awareness.
Misty In Roots, one of the most powerful live reggae acts to have come out of London, and noted for their powerful roots reggae sound, and uncompromising lyrical vibrations, became the major force in Rock Against Racism, playing more concerts than any other band in the movement. This opened up a whole new audience for the band who quickly developed a very strong cross over audience, playing with acts such as Tom Robinson, The Ruts and Elvis Costello.
Despite Misty In Roots' huge success as a live act the band did not release their first album until 1979. The album Live At The Counter Eurovision, which was recorded live in Belgium during the band's 1978 tour, is today still proclaimed by many critics as the best live reggae album of all time. Misty In Roots followed Live At The Counter Eurovision with a string of limited edition singles such as "Oh Wicked Man", "Rich Man", "Salvation", "How Long Jah" and "See Them Ah Come".
The band’s second album Wise And Foolish was released in 1982 and took on a more mellow, jazzy and soulful tone.
By 1982 Misty In Roots was a force to be reckoned with but because of their determination to remain independent the band took a major step into Africa spending nine months in Zimbabwe and Zambia. The period spent in Africa had a major impact on the development of Misty In Roots' following two albums Earth and Musi O Tunya, both of which were directly inspired by the band’s experiences in Africa.
Earth, released in 1983, was a moving musical documentation of the devastation caused to mother Earth by mankind because of greed, cruelty and ignorance. The album consists of classic tracks as "Follow Fashion", "Earth", "Poor And Needy", "Own Them Control Them" and "Servant To Jah".
Musi O Tunya, released in 1985, was a reflection of the band’s love for Africa. Musi O Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) is a beautiful place where Zimbabwe and Zambia meet, and the great Zambezi river gives up all its might to form one of the most beautiful sights of Southern Africa. The Musi O Tunya falls are known in English as Victoria Falls.
During 1987, Misty In Roots took their first trip to West Africa, the spiritual home of their ancestors, it was indeed a pleasant experience to set foot in the region after four hundred years in exile.
1989 saw the beginning of a friendship between Misty In Roots and Kaz Records, which resulted in the release of the album Forward which saw Misty In Roots reach the heights once again.
At Roots Controller 2002 the band showed that roots reggae is a very alive, and they inspired new, young artists all over the world to change style from dancehall and digital ragga to roots.
ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY
* Live at the Counter Eurovision 79 (1979) [recorded live in Belgium]
* Misty Over Sweden (1979) [Swedish release - recorded live in Sweden]
* Wise and Foolish (1981)
* Earth (1983)
* Musi-O-Tunya (1985)
* Forward (1989)
* Chronicles - The Best of (1994)
* The John Peel Sessions (1995)
* Jah Sees Jah Knows (1997) [2CD version includes bonus CD of Live at the Counter Eurovision '79]
* Roots Controller (2002) [6 new tracks plus previously-released material]
Man Kind
Misty In Roots Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And righteous man shall stand
Unworthy they shall perish
They shall burn in fire
Hark! Words of the Prophet Isaiah
Behold! They weep
Hark! Words of the Prophet Isaiah
Behold! They weep
Wages of sin is death
Gift of Jah is eternal life
Mankind, a sinner
Mankind, you shall pay for your false transgression
That's why I say now
Woe unto you
Woe unto you
That's why I say
Woe unto you
Woe unto you
The lyrics to Misty in Roots' "Man Kind" speak of the coming judgement days and the fate of mankind. The opening lines suggest that those who have lived righteously will stand, while those who are unworthy will perish and burn in fire. This is a reference to the biblical concept of judgement day, where the good and the bad will be separated and punished or rewarded accordingly. The repetition of the words "Hark!" and "Behold!" suggest a sense of urgency and the need to pay attention to the message being imparted.
The lyrics then go on to speak of sin and its consequence – death. The reference to Jah, a Rastafarian term for God, suggests a spiritual message. Mankind is described as a sinner and they will have to pay for their false transgressions. The words "woe unto you" are repeated twice, which suggests a warning or a threat. The singer seems to be speaking on behalf of Jah, warning mankind of the consequences of their actions.
Overall, "Man Kind" is a powerful song with a strong spiritual message. The lyrics speak of judgement, sin, and the consequences of one's actions. It is a warning to mankind to live righteously and avoid the fate that awaits sinners.
Line by Line Meaning
Judgement days have come
The time of judgement has arrived.
And righteous man shall stand
Only those who have lived in righteousness will be able to stand before judgement.
Unworthy they shall perish
Those who have lived in worthlessness shall perish and face their punishment.
They shall burn in fire
Their punishment for their sins will be to burn forever in fire.
Hark! Words of the Prophet Isaiah
Listen! This message is like that delivered by the Prophet Isaiah.
Behold! They weep
Look! Those who have not lived in righteousness, are crying.
Wages of sin is death
The result of a sinful life is death.
Gift of Jah is eternal life
By living in righteousness, one can receive the gift of eternal life from Jah.
Mankind, a sinner
All of humanity has sinned.
Mankind, you shall pay for your false transgression
Humanity will be punished for their wrongdoings and sinful behavior.
That's why I say now
This is why I am saying this now.
Woe unto you
A warning of impending doom and disaster.
Woe unto you
A warning of impending doom and disaster.
That's why I say
This is why I am saying this.
Woe unto you
A warning of impending doom and disaster.
Woe unto you
A warning of impending doom and disaster.
Contributed by Grayson I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.