The Archives, a reggae band from Washington, D.C., pay an inspired tribute to the late, groundbreaking soul and jazz poet and musician Gil Scott-Heron — and his collaborator Brian Jackson — on songs from the 1970s that are still powerfully relevant today.
Founded and led by keyboardist Darryl “Trane” Burke, who produced the album with Eric Hilton of Thievery Corporation, The Archives play at a very high level. With some notable guests, including Jackson himself, they’ve made a very fine album.
The band’s homebase is a connection — Scott-Heron and Jackson lived in the city and the area for years — and the reggae versions aren’t a random stylistic choice either, as Scott-Heron’s father was a Jamaican soccer player.
From the off, the production from Eric Hilton (Thievery Corporation) and Darryl “Trane” Burke (who is also The Archives’ pianist, songwriter and leader) is pure class. It’s important to note that the production, engineering and mastering of the record has been purposefully designed to create an almost historical sound. The focus is on synergy between instruments, depending on the track, and engineering that ensures the lyrical content shares centre stage with its musical counterpart.
It would be remiss to analyse each track as an individual experience. Because Carry Me Home needs to be viewed as a sum of its parts. Roots-driven, The Archives have also delicately brought in elements of Dub and Soul across the 12 cuts – giving a sumptuous and compelling end project.
| A1 | Home Is Where The Hatred Is |
| A2 | Rivers Of My Fathers |
| A3 | Peace Go With You, Brother (As-Salaam-Alaikum) |
| A4 | It's Your World |
| B5 | Who'll Pay Reparations On My Soul? |
| B6 | Song Of The Wind |
| B7 | Must Be Something |
| B8 | A Toast To The People |
| C9 | The Revolution Will Not Be Televised |
| C10 | Cane |
| C11 | Revolution Disguised As Charge |
| D12 | Winter In America |
| D13 | Home Is Where The Hatred Is (I Grade Dub Mix) |
| D14 | Rivers Of My Fathers (I Grade Dub Mix) |
