It's not often the phrase "back by popular demand" means exactly that but British Caribbean reggae pioneers Black Slate were away a bit too long for some of their fans. Individually and together, the band had backed and collaborated with some of the biggest and most respected names in music of any genre - Sly and Robbie, Peter Tosh, Dennis Brown, Ken Boothe, as well as Eruption, Gwen Guthrie and Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour.
 

One of the most prominent UK-based reggae acts in the seventies and early eighties, Black Slate built up a following in the UK and Europe with hits like "Sticksman", "Amigo" , "Boom Boom", "Legalize Calli Herb" and "Rasta Reggae". They released three well-received albums. The core members of the band, live around North and East London, they have often worked together on individual projects. Recently they decided to work on brand new material for Black Slate.  

Each member of the band has been involved in mentoring young musicians over the years - bass player Elroy Bailey co-founding a successful youth project in Hackney - and they believe this is one of the key elements that kept their sound fresh and urgent.

"You can learn a lot listening to younger people" says keyboard player Roddy. 

Wayne Marshall, Lloyd Brown, Gappy Ranks, Taurus Riley, Jacky Murda, the Reggae Vibes Band, Bag-E Productions as well as local band Ras Heights and second-generation torchbearers Morgan Heritage and Shaka Black are all younger acts who receive the Black Slate seal of approval.

Elroy explains that the very name Black Slate is about education, "It's a symbol of learning, the first way people learned".

Now, he says, "It's time to continue the journey".

Drummer Desmond Mahoney, was inundated with requests and realised Black Slate still had a lot to say to the world. It wasn't a question of reforming to take advantage of the nostalgia circuit. Black Slate's "comeback" gig was in a small club in Shoreditch more used to hosting newer, less formed talent. The necessity of Black Slate on the scene was plain to hear/feel/in fact the only way to make the experience tangible was for the band to be back playing live gigs for a public that clearly adored them.