Independent US-based company DubShot Records has re-released ‘Crucial! Roots Classics‘, reggae pioneer Bunny Wailer’s Grammy-winning album, to mark its 30th anniversary.

The digitally remastered, 14-song set was released on May 5.

‘Crucial! Roots Classics‘, which won the Grammy for Best Reggae Album in 1995, was initially distributed by Shanachie Record.

Bunny Wailer, who won three Grammys, died in 2021 at age 73. DubShot Records previously re-released ‘Rock N Groove‘, his outstanding 1981 album.

Chris Schlarb of DubShot Records said his company has an arrangement with Naki, the reggae legend’s son, to help introduce his Solomonic catalogue to a new generation of fans.

“There is a long legacy of greatness associated with Bunny, and we are honoured to be following in the footsteps of labels like Shanachie, and hope to one day be considered in a similar calibre in the impact we make on classic reggae, dancehall, dub, and the future of music from Jamaica and the Caribbean,” he explained.

Shanachie Records, also based in New York, distributed a number of classic reggae albums including ‘Two Sevens Clash‘ by Culture, ‘Black Woman‘ by Judy Mowatt and King Tubby’s ‘Meets Rockers In A Firehouse‘.

Bunny Wailer, along with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, was an original member of The Wailers, which formed in Trench Town in 1963. They had several hit songs such as ‘Simmer Down‘, ‘It Hurts to Be Alone‘ and ‘Put It On‘, before making early reggae songs like ‘Mr. Brown‘ and ‘Small Axe‘.

Wailer and Tosh left for solo careers in 1973 after The Wailers recorded two albums — ‘Catch A Fire‘ and ‘Burnin’ — for Island Records.