When the first thrilling wave of racially diverse roots-reggae and ska bands burst out of the Midlands in the late 1970s and revolutionised Britain’s musical and cultural landscape, the country was facing economic depression, massive social unrest, a lack of faith in the political system and, come 1982, an overseas crisis and a pointless war in The Falklands.

It seems that little has changed in the interim.

Enter X.O.V.A.

From Birmingham, numbering seven in their ranks, X.O.V.A. are multi-racial, multi-generational masters of a vibrant and muscular roots sound that harks back to the sound and vision of the past, fired up by social and political unrest issues as well as affairs of the heart. But the septet are also the sound of 2012, fusing their reggae base with the breadth of the modern world - ska, rock, dubstep, blues, Motown and folk, infused with protest and pain, but also hope.

The band have headline and festival dates lined up throughout 2012, booked and rebooked by promoters following sell out and roof-raising shows.

Debut album Synchronise Your Leader’s is released in the spring.