Roots

Description

Roots is the third solo album by the Norwegian singer and songwriter Jan Groth, released in 1984 on Refuge Records, distributed by The Benson Company in the US. The album was recorded by Steve Forward at Redan Recorders in London, England; with Jan Groth and Ray Nenow producing. Mixed by Johnny Shines at Redan Recorders. Arranged by Groth “with good help from all the musicians on the album.”

The album was recorded with the help of two different groups of session musicians. Three of the tracks – A2, B1, and B5 – feature a UK based backup band consisting of Norman Barratt (of Gravy Train and Barratt Band fame) on guitar and Dave Markee and Henry Spinetti on bass and drums respectively (actually the rhythm section of Eric Clapton Band ca 1980). The remaining tracks feature US session musicians; Freddie Salem on guitar and a rhythm section consisting of Rick Cua and David Dix on bass and drums respectively (all three musicians members of the American southern rock/country rock band The Outlaws). The ballad “That’s Why I Long For Tomorrow” is a duet with the Norwegian-Polish singer Alex with the Swedish keyboardist Per-Erik Hallin sitting in on piano. (The duet was released as a 7-inch single with “How Do You Know” on the flip side.)

The album track “Lie Is Not Truth” is also featured on the multi-artist compilation Rock Around the World released on Refuge Records in 1984.

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/roots-remastered/1716014554)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “I Can’t Fly” – 3:10
A2. “How Do You Know” – 3:18
A3. “That’s Why I Long For Tomorrow” (duet with Alex) – 3:44
A4. “So Good To Be Me” – 3:29
A5. “And The Show Goes On” – 4:34

Side Two
B1. “Lie Is Not Truth” – 4:02
B2. “Looking For You” – 3:07
B3. “For Real” – 4:05
B4. “Lighthouse” – 3:39
B5. “I’m Going Home” – 3:22

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Refuge Records. A CD-box featuring remastered versions of Jan Groth’s four albums made in the 80s was released in 2009.

---

A full-page advertisement for various import albums released by Refuge Records, including Jan Groth’s Roots, was featured in the August 1984 issue of CCM Magazine.

---

---

---

CREDITS. Co-produced by Jan Groth and Ray Nenow. Executive-Producer: John Pac. All songs written by Jan Groth.

Musicians: Jan Groth (Vocals), Norman Barratt (Guitar, tracks: A2, B1, B5), Freddie Salem (Guitar, tracks: A1, A3 to A5, B2 to B4), Dave Markee (Bass, tracks: A2, B1, B5), Rick Cua (Bass, tracks: A1, A3 to A5, B2 to B4), Henry Spinetti (Drums, tracks: A2, B1, B5), David Dix (Drums, tracks: A1, A3 to A5, B2 to B4).