Reviewed by Tony Cummings

“Roots” for the Katinas isn’t, of course, picked acoustics and hammered dulcimers, or even old skool blues rock. Instead, it’s contemporary R&B and for a couple of tracks Western Samoa’s finest seem fired up with funky grooves, hummable hooks and lyrics encouraging us all to raise our hands in the air. But then the ballads kick in and despite the classy sheen of their harmonies and switched leads by the end the casual listener feels less that they’re an outstanding CCM act rediscovering their musical heritage than a veteran band beginning to stagnate. No doubt you’ll hear the first two cuts, “Are You Ready” and “Freedom” (the latter with a rap from John Reuben), on the radio and undoubtedly there will be some fans who go for their slow and ponderous balladry. But for this reviewer many of the slow songs teetered worryingly closely to boy band gush. So overall, only an average album with even the guest appearance (on the song “Still In Love”) failing to lift it.

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