A rapt audience of dancing and screaming young fans packed the Sebastiani Theatre in California's wine country of Sonoma last Monday for a concert to celebrate the upcoming release of Lymie Murray's fourth album, Deeper Roots.

The inspired Jamaican reggae crooner did not disappoint. With a scintillating two- hour performance, Lymie Murray stamped his class on Sonoma.

Dressed in full white regalia and sporting a blood-red turban over his long dreadlocks and a Rastafarian-coloured scarf, Murray sang tunes from his Deeper Roots album - Rooster, Bad Mind People, Marcus, Captive, Troubles I See and Earth Cry, as well as other familiar singles, Break Free and Love for the People.

Warm vocals

Inviting patrons to dance with him, and delighting with a record-time wardrobe change, the Jamaican singer caressed the crowd with his warm vocals, personal allure and inviting stage presence.

The melodies Lymie Murray pursues in Deeper Roots largely depart from the signature lovers' rock genre for which the reggae singer has become known.

Asked whether Deeper Roots was a change of musical direction, Lymie Murray said: "An artiste's work is a manifestation of who he is. Deeper Roots reflects my evolution as an artiste and my own convictions about people, the issues they confront, the challenges and triumphs, the disappointments, but also the gift of hope. These melodies were always within me. I didn't premeditate this album. It came spilling from my soul."

Producers

Produced by the California-based I-Dwell Records, led by brothers Jack and Hap Mapel, Deeper Roots is the first major project with Lymie Murray. "No one does lover's rock like Lymie Murray and he appeals to people who love music, period," said co-producer, Jack Mapel.

"Mainstream America is afraid of reggae's revolutionary message. It is the youth who are drawn to reggae, they are not offended by the fire burning. They respect the meditation. With Lymie Murray, they get both classical lovers' rock and reggae righteousness and they love him."

The concert featured a stellar California-based band - Herb Daley on bass; Johnny 'Dread' Nevin on keyboards; Rusty Zinn on guitars; and Bruce Benjamin on drums - themselves no stranger to reggae.

Deeper Roots is Lymie Murray's fourth album, following Conversation, Start All Over and Happy Days.