Groundation Music
San Francisco, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | INDIE
Music
Press
Groundation – the jazz influenced reggae outfit from California – unleash their new studio album ‘Building An Ark’ with Soulbeats Records on March 20th in Europe and on April 24th in the U.S with VP Records.
On ‘Building An Ark’ Groundation is said to stay true to the essence of their sound – a mix of roots reggae, jazz, funk, salsa and transcendental dub. “We al- ways want to challenge what we do and show progression in this music that is uniquely ours, and Building An Ark is the best this group has ever sounded on re- cord. Ours fans will feel that rare explosive energy that is Grounda- tion with a focus on sonic quality, clarity and words of strength,” says lead singer Harrison Stafford in a press release. Groundation has to date released over a nine albums independently – collabo- rating with reggae legends includ- ing Don Carlos and The Congos – and developed a international cult following with their progressive sound and live performances. - Erik Magni
Discography
2014 : New release in October
2012 : Building An Ark
2011 : The gathering of the Elders
2009 : Here I Am
2006 : Upon The Bridge
2006 : Dub Wars
2004 : We Free Again
2002 : Hebron Gate
Photos
Bio
A powerful jazzy-reggae vibe with hypnotic funk-based rhythms
If you dont know your past, you dont know your future a statement that Groundations music captures fully! While capturing the essence of true Roots Reggae, the internationally acclaimed Groundation aims to take the art of genre-bending to new heights by blending elements of Jazz, Funk and transcendental Dub in their progressive amalgam of sound some call it Progressive Reggae. The band derived its name from the grounation, the Rastafarian ceremony of the same name. Grounations are ancestral Rastafarian gatherings aimed at reaching a common vibration through the positive power of prayer and music something that the band shares with its fans at each concert. Groundation may be based on an ancient tradition, but it is an idea for today.
Over the past few years, Groundation played in over 30 countries on four continents. Groundation is not only Reggaes most forward-looking band, they are a true movement. With the release of Here I Am in 2009 and a compilation of their best collaborations appropriately called Gathering of the Elders in 2011, it is fair to say that no other band today is playing music like Groundation. Whether on their masterfully self-produced studio albums or in the midst of their now legendary live-performances, Groundations sound is both uncategorizable and yet somehow familiar. Whether a fan of Jazz improvisation, the deep grooves of Funk and Dub or the challenging consciousness of Roots Reggae, Groundation offers a point of contact to connect to the music.
Composition:
Harrison Stafford (vocals, guitar), Marcus Urani (b3, Keyboards), Ryan Newman (bass), David Chachere (trumpet), Te Kenawa Haereiti (drums), Kim Pommell (chorus), Jason Robinson (sax, flute), Jhamiela Smith (chorus), Mingo Lewis Jr (congas, timbales, percussion), Michael Ver Steegt (Live Sound Engineer).
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