SCHOLARSWORD >> TRIBAL ROOTS. HUMBLE ARC 2004   Bob Marley planted the seed of reggae in the late '60s. And since then, countless artists and styles have sprouted from his legendary roots foundation. Today's reggae stars, such as Beenie Man and Sizzla, are branching out with dancehall hip-hop-influenced beats and chants. Damian Marley has blossomed by fertilizing his father's original hits with his own prolific Ragamuffin flows. But realistically, the genre's true growth comes from those who sow their musical approach--before they reap the fruit of their labor.   Enter Scholarsword, modestly claiming. "We try to earn it ourselves." But it's their versatile, pure sound and grooving live shows that yielded the four-piece, East Coast squad their first disc, Tribal Roots, on the Virginia Beach-based Humble Arc label. Commanding lyrics and pulsing, melodic vibrations are just the beginning of what these dreadlocked troubadours put forth on their debut. The album's jumping rhythms--united with a positive, uplifting message--energize and enlighten the senses. Fertile drum and basslines pump hard enough to make even the most stagnant wallflower toe-tap to the tempo. The 12 tracks are strategically positioned to compliment Scholarsword's unpredictable harmonious assault. And as soon as you're high-stepping along to the charged opening songs, their Antigua-born Sing-Jay "General," begins soothing you, in the perfect poise, with roots reggae's mellow vibes. Once you've caught your breath (cough, cough), there's a call to arms with compelling vocals over bouncing tunes like "Trixy" and "Can't Hold Me Down." You might even recognize the familiar heralding horns from Burning Spear's "Columbus" on their original jam "Gideon Boots."   So if you're lulled to sleep by reggae or think it's as repetitive as a CD skipping--buy this album. It will put a fresh, flavorful twist in your post-surf sundowner. These guys prove that reggae can't be classified in a sub-genre--while defining it with an unrivaled, fertile blend, which could only be titled Tribal Roots. By Mike Cianciulli

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