Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
"They tout a positive vibe in their lyrics – and this co-ed foursome are also positively dynamic, blending solid professional pedigrees with unflagging exuberance. "
-Mountain Xpress, Asheville NC
“Their live set was a true reflection of the multi-faceted musical assault they’ve been working on for the past few years. This band should have no problem packing out venues wherever their journeys lead.”
–Think Dank Magazine
“This eclectic quartet blends hip hop vocals with reggae and jazz in a way that leaves no musical stone unturned.” -The Independent Weekly -“Best Bets," Chapel Hill NC
“Reggae rhythms and simmering hip-hop beats melt with dreamy jazz waves and entrancing vocals into a hypnotic sound. Their up-tempo motion and positive vibes are downright infectious. I highly recommend this up-and-coming musical outlet”
-Revolving Door, Syracuse NY
“A blow-your-hair-back mix of reggae, hip-hop, and jazz ”
-Graffiti, Charleston WV
"Hip, unique and highly danceable"
- Asheville Citizen-Times
“Incredibly tight, rhythmic sounds”
–The Hook, Charlottesville VA
“Surprisingly hard-hitting, the songs are decidedly positive, if not downright inspirational”
–Mountain Xpress, Asheville NC
“Adding a vibe of positivity & contemplation to the lyrics, the group shows they are here to touch the world”
–Unspoken Word, Alameda CA
- various
“Foundation Stone hasn’t left my CD player! That’s the hot shit! Their grooves are an evolution in sound crossbreeding, sure to keep your head nodding like a bobble-head doll. Drawing from reggae, jazz and hip-hop, Foundation Stone melds the hottest genres on the scene into a smooth grooving soundscape, resulting in a fresh, melodic and undeniable flow. So get your copy and enjoy being part of a step in the right direction.”
-DJ Matches, KVCU-FM, Boulder, Colorado
"Awesome musicianship and vocals. The funky grooves have added so much quality to our radio show. Can't wait to see the band in concert!"
-Joe Kelley, host of "Upper Room with Joe Kelley," WVOF-FM, Fairfield, CT
“Funktastic! The positive vibrations from this disc instantly get you grooving, making it a good one to listen to over and over”
– Marissa Ollar, host of “Electric Kool-Aid,” KTXT-FM, Lubbock TX
"My listeners really like your music. A lot of them ask about it when I play it. The beats and lyrics inspire even people who don't think about spiritual things to check out the message. You are well on your way, keep up the good work!"
–Super Duper DC, host of “Island Reggae,” WNAA-FM, Greensboro NC
- various
“I never danced that crazy in my life!”
- Sudesh Upadhyay, Gaithersburg MD
“Just got back from the show tonight and WOW!!! What a feeling. Thanks for a peaceful, positive, powerful, energy experience!”
–Dan Wood, Roanoke VA
“I've never heard such good, soulful, REAL music. You guys know what's going on out there, and what's truly important in this life. Nice to know you're out there spreading your love and music. Now I can't get enough of your jamming. I feel ya!”
–Amanda Colin, Charleston SC
”I saw you open for Burning Spear. You were ON!! High energy. You all seemed to be enjoying yourselves and it transferred over to us. I hope you’ll be back as headliner. I'll be there with bells on!”
–Bill Kines, Jacksonville FL
“Your energy is wonderfully infectious! It’s great seeing how much the crowd is into you. Seeing each member smiling and getting off on playing is just another added treat.”
–Nikki Silver, Asheboro NC
“When you played I felt as though I left my body; just the music, my soul, and the bliss of tribal confusion. I couldn't get away. That saxophone pierces my being!”
-Johnny Freedom, Orlando FL
“Can't tell you how exhilarating your music feels! Had to dance! Want to hear more! I purchased your C.D. and look forward to seeing you again in the near future.”
-G. Martin, Asheville NC
“I've started making shirts that say "Foundation Stone Rocks My Bones"
–Chris Matlack, Bloomington IN
“One musician to another, I'm preaching the gospel of Foundation Stone!”
–Ray Williams, Blacksburg VA
“You were GREAT! I enjoyed you as much as The Wailers!”
-Bethany Pecoraro, Tampa FL
- various
Discography
The World We Live In - CD - Paradise Records - 2003
On The Updraft - CD - Paradise Records - 2000
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Foundation Stones recent release, "The World We Live In," has quickly become one of the hottest indie records to come out of Virginia. Recorded in Philadelphia by the Grammy-winning producer, David Ivory, whos won Grammies for his work with Erykah Badu and The Roots, the CD has been picked up by the Home Grown Music Network for international distribution and radio promotion.
Based in Virginia, the group spent 2004 touring extensively, hitting festivals and concert venues from upstate New York to south Florida. Highlights from last years tours include several festivals attended by crowds of 300,000-750,000, like the Columbus Arts Festival in Ohio; Bele Chere in Asheville NC; and Music Midtown in Atlanta, where they shared the bill with superstars like Wyclef Jean, The Doors of the 21rst Century, Steve Miller, Big Boi of Outkast, George Clinton & Parliament and many more.
Foundation Stone is currently in the studio preparing for their next CD, projected to be released in 2005. They've sold over 3500 copies of both their latest CD and their debut CD, On the Updraft, at their shows alone. Released in June 2000, their first release also met with positive reviews from critics, and along with "The World We Live In," it is played at radio stations from New York to Boulder, Miami to Seattle, and beyond.
Singer and rhyme slinger Emily Brass ignites the vibe with wailing sax licks, her sultry, soulful voice (often compared to Sade, with a roots-rap edge) and her powerful lyrics. She grew up in Montreal, where at age 12 she started playing the sax, and soon after found reggae and hip-hop.
Co-songwriter Jacques Trudel, lays down the entrancing bass that is the backbone of Foundation Stone's sound. Grandson of the world-renowned cellist, Maurice Marechal, he has played multiple instruments since he was 5 years old.
Guitarist and vocalist Ras Greg Ward is noted for his solid roots rhythm and mesmerizing leads. His impressive resume includes having backed up reggae greats, The Abyssinans. He was a member of the reggae band, Stable Roots, for over three years, where he played with Junior Marvin of The Wailers and Peanut of Culture. He draws from musical styles that he developed while playing with jazz-hippie-rock band Laughing Song and Dance and the funk-rock band Earls Loaf.
Drummer David Brown has drummed professionally for over 15 years, hitting the circuit with bands like Corey Brammer & 32 Leaves and legendary funk-jazz veterans, Sonic Safari. He pours his soul into his driving beats, ranging from jazz-hop to afro-tribal to breakbeat and dancehall.
Foundation Stone often invites outstanding musicians to join them on stage. Guests have included Shayar, guitarist of Burning Spear; Samba Ngo, guitarist & lead singer of Samba Ngo & the Ngoma Players; Len Wishart, percussionist of Baaba Seth; George Penn, drummer of Jah Works, renowned percussionist Darryl Rose and many more.
FOUNDATION STONE
...performs at the same events as such renowned artists as...
BIG BOI of Outkast
WYCLEF JEAN
LUDACRIS
GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT
ACOUSTIC SYNDICATE
THE DOORS OF THE 21rst CENTURY
STEVE MILLER BAND
FOOFIGHTERS
WEEN
MESHELL NDEGECELLO
ANGIE STONE
GALACTIC
THE WAILERS (7 times)
BURNING SPEAR (4 times)
CULTURE (2 times)
EEK-A-MOUSE
THE MEDITATIONS (2 times)
DONNA THE BUFFALO (3 times)
KARL DENSONS TINY UNIVERSE
LAURA LOVE
BELA FLECK & THE FLECKTONES
DIRTY DOZEN BRASS BAND
JOHN SCOFIELD
LEON RUSSELL
NEW MONSOON
TONY TRISCHKA (2 times)
SAMBA NGO
MICHELLE MALONE
ROSIE LEDET (2 times)
THE RECIPE (2 times)
BAABA SETH (2 times)
...They perform at top-notch festivals including...
MUSIC MIDTOWN, May 2004, Atlanta GA- attended by 500,000
BELE CHERE, the largest free street fest in the southeast, attended by 400,000 July 2004, 2001, 2000, Asheville, NC
COLUMBUS ARTS FESTIVAL, attended by 300,000, June 2004
FLOYDFEST, August 2004, August 2003 & September 2002
FRIDAYS IN THE SQUARE, August 2003 & 2004, Harrisonburg VA as headliners
SUMMER JAM, July 2004, Ithaca NY
SPRING FLING, May 2004, Spartanburg SC
TASTE OF ST. AUGUSTINE, April 2004 as headliners
FIRST NIGHT in Harrisonburg VA (2004), Blacksburg VA (2002), Asheville NC (2001)- as headliners
LAKE EDEN ARTS FESTIVAL (LEAF), Oct 03, May 01, Oct. 00, May 00- Black Mountain, NC
ONE LOVE PEACE FESTIVAL, September 2003, Fredericksburg VA
FIRST FRIDAYS, September 2003, Roanoke VA- as headliners
JAMES ISLAND CONCERT SERIES, August 2003, Charleston SC- as headliners
STEPPIN OUT 1998-2004, Blacksburg VA- as headliners
GROOVE REGGAE FESTIVAL, June 2003, Woodbury CT
FRIDAYS AFTER 5, June 2002 (as headliners) & October 2001- Charlottesville, VA
SMILEFEST, June 2001, Union Grove, NC
GOOMBAY FESTIVAL 2001, Asheville NC- as headliners
... And they perform at countless cool venues such as...
FREEBIRD LIVE- Jacksonville Beach FL
JANNUS LANDING- St. Petersburg FL
MARQUEE THEATER-
Links
