SINGERS Cedric Myton and Kiddus I, and veteran session guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith, will lead a five-week tour of France by the Inna De Yard roots group.

The tour starts May 4 in St Brieuc and is scheduled to end June 2 in Romans-sur- Isere, according to Mediacom, the French agency that booked the tour.

They are also expected to perform in major cities such as Nantes, Lyon and Toulouse.

This is the third French tour by the troupe which has recorded several acoustic albums and songs at Smith’s St Andrew home. Myton, an original member of the Congos, and Kiddus I, star of the 1978 movie Rockers, have figured prominently in these productions.

Smith conceived the ‘unplugged’ series 10 years ago and recorded its first album, Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith and Friends in 2004. In addition to the Congos and Kiddus I, singers Bob Andy, Linval Thompson and journeyman group the Viceroys have recorded albums for Inna De Yard.

The albums were distributed mainly in France by Makasounds Records, the Paris-based independent company that folded in 2011.

The project has revived the career of Kiddus I (given name Frank Dowding) who gained an underground following in Europe and the United States west coast through his role in Rockers.

The film featured his song, Graduation in Zion, which he covered for Inna De Yard.

Like Kiddus I, Myton came of age musically during the roots-reggae era of the 1970s. The Congos are best known for the 1978 album, Heart Of The Congos, which was produced by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

Smith has been recording since the late 1960s, playing on classic songs by Augustus Pablo (Java), Dennis Brown (Westbound Train) and Johnny Clarke (Move Outa Babylon).

He was a member of the prolific Soul Syndicate Band and also toured with the Wailers and Jimmy Cliff.