Behold

The Birmingham district of Handsworth gave birth to one of the UK's strongest roots reggae scenes of the 70s and early 80s, immortalised by Steel Pulse and their 1978 masterpiece Handsworth Revolution. Sugar Shack Records are now pushing the career of a lesser-known export, Black Symbol, a group who were highly regarded in the 80s for keeping Handsworth's sound distinctly punchy. Confusingly, Black Symbol's frontman, Fatman, now uses his old band's name as a pseudonym.

Behold is the one-man Black Symbol's second album, and like several veteran rootsmen enjoying successful career revivals – Clinton Fearon and Winston McAnuff are the best examples – Black Symbol uses his gravelly voice as a mark of authority. Opening track ‘Mother of Creation’ hits big with a heavy mix of horns, snare-dominant drums and a textbook skank beat, with Black Symbol sounding like a wise preacher for a new generation. But hereon Behold falls short, replacing roots with the kind of forgettable 80s reggae that struggled to find its feet amid the novelty of drum machines. Few tracks will stick in the memory here, not least the title-track, a weak a capella rendition of legendary roots band Culture's classic tune.