Founded in 2015, the Mystic Rockers are the creation of South African drummer, percussionist and trumpeter Craig ‘Cigar’ Tamlin, and British born bass player of Jamaican heritage Mark ‘Bassie’ Anderson. Tamlin and Anderson have been working together in London for over 20 years, with Tamlin’s commitment to reggae, latin, soul, African music and jazz blending perfectly with the self-taught Anderson’s immersive focus on Jamaican music and culture.
They had soon recorded with reggae stars Vivian Jones, Johnny Clarke and Selvie Wonder. From 2017, Tamlin played with Michael Arkk and Teshay Makeda; more recently he took the drummer’s chair for a tour with the legendary Symarip, and played with Susan Cadogan. But in 2020 the Rockers began an exciting, new phase. Reuniting with longtime friend and collaborator from Chickenwing All Stars, guitarist Josh ‘Chairman’ Saunders, and linking with London’s famous reggae studio, Stingray Studios, the core trio of Tamlin, Anderson and Saunders were joined by seasoned musician Gregg P Assing along with world-renowned South African trumpeter Claude Deppa.
Digging deep at the venerable Stingray Studios with engineer Carlton ‘Dillie’ McLeod at the controls, the Rockers built nine fresh, firing tracks – their heaviest work to date. With these tracks in their pocket, the Rockers had made connection with the legendary Horace Andy. The resulting “Bottomless Pit” will be out on 29 September 2023.
