The Beatroots

The Beatroots

The Beatroots is a group based in Oxford and described as an a cappella act. The name also appears in connection with several different bands, including a roots rock reggae group from Southend-on-Sea, Essex, a Cardiff reggae outfit that began in the late 1970s, and a rock band from Maine with world and ethnic influences.

Oxford-based a cappella group

As an Oxford-based a cappella group, The Beatroots is identified simply as a vocal act. No further details are provided about its membership, recordings, or activity.

Other acts with the same name

One version of The Beatroots plays roots rock reggae and comes from Southend-on-Sea, Essex. That group releases the albums White Elephant and Paper Scissors Stoned, and develops a large live following.

Another earlier group begins in Cardiff in the late 1970s under the name Flashback. After the rise of UB40 and Two-Tone, it changes its name to The Beatroots and focuses on reggae. In 1982 it independently releases the Bob Lamb-produced tracks Unnecessary War and I Wanna Dance With You, both written by J. Henry, before splitting around 1983 because of business disagreements.

A further band using the name is based in Maine and plays rock music with a mix of world and ethnic influences.