Morgan Heritage: Rockaz

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THE NATIONAL MOTTO OF JAMAICA is "Out of many, one people." Singer Denroy Morgan could flip it a bit and say, "Out of one person, many people." That's because the Jamaican crooner has 30 children. Five of his kids comprise the spiritual and political roots-reggae band Morgan Heritage, which celebrates the release of its latest CD, "Live: Another Rockaz Moment," with a concert at Crossroads on Friday.

Though Denroy's brood might seem larger than one man could handle, Morgan Heritage percussionist and vocalist Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan said, "I have to give thanks to our father for bringing us all together, because all 30 kids weren't from one mother. It was a blessing that he chose the right one to make his wife, and they embraced all his kids who were from other women, and it gave us the opportunity to grow up together and know all our brothers and sisters."

The family grew up in Springfield, Mass., but Denroy moved the crew back to Jamaica 11 years ago. It's not easy being a Rastafarian in Jamaica; it's even harder in New England. "We got the wisecracks: 'Jamaican booty-scratcher, go back on your banana boat.' But it's the fight; it's the cross we decided to bear as Rastafarians."

The Morgan Heritage collective, which includes brothers Mojo, Gramps, Jahpetes and Lukes along with sister Una, harness their genetic talents to make reggae music with a sharper-than-normal edge — so much so that the band has toured with the punky Warped Tour twice. Said Mojo: "Rockaz, the way we spell it, means reggae music that rocks, simply put."

» Crossroads, 4103 Baltimore Ave., Bladensburg, Md.; Fri., 8 p.m. doors, $15-$25; 301-927-1056.

Photo courtesy VP Records