Rootz Underground
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Rootz Underground

Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica | SELF

Kingston, Kingston, Jamaica | SELF
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"Backstage: A Rootz Underground Story"

“Not Just a Band, But a Musical Family”



The Foundation…
Listening to the introduction: “All the way from Kingston, Jamaica…” plenty of memorable reggae pioneers come to mind. This list or musical icons truly is endless. Beginning with Bob Marley and The Wailers, the island capital became common knowledge in the past, the present, and will certainly remain fit in the future. Reggae music sprouted from Jamaica over fifty-years ago, and to this day, the beat still goes on stronger than ever.

With The Wailers continuing to tour, with lone original member Aston “Family Man” Barrett on bass, there is still a standard to hold in traditional Jamaican roots-rock-reggae. One band that is climbing the ladder approaching that renowned status is Rootz Underground. All six members joined together in the musical manor of Kingston Town. The same streets walked by Marley, Peter Tosh and dancehall kingpin, Yellowman, Rootz Underground are leaving their own footprints.

Beyond their beautiful reggae sound, Rootz Underground comes complete with the look, as well. Lead singer Stephen Newland has a striking resemblance to the great legend, Bob Marley, going far beyond the recognizable dreadlocks. Newland’s onstage showmanship could be placed side-by-side with Marley, and the only difference would be grainy film and high definition quality footage.

Although Rootz Underground is a band, they travel around in their tour bus as a family, not as your typical highbrow rock stars. Their eyes have taken in the natural setting of nearly thirty countries and shared the stage with iconic artists like Gregory Isaacs, Toots & The Maytals, Israel Vibration, Stephen and Ziggy Marley, among many others. The tales Rootz Underground could share would be abundant.

Yet, after traveling throughout Europe extensively, Rootz Underground refueled for a return trip to the United States this spring. After flying from Kingston, Jamaica to Denver, CO, by way of Miami, FL, Rootz Underground made their trek through the southwestern United States, pulling into Phoenix, Arizona. When The Pier was granted access to cover an exclusive backstage piece on Rootz Underground, there was no hesitation.

The Interaction…
With an open armed welcome, the band gathered before their third show in as many nights, yet each member was cheerful and anxious to play for a relatively new audience. Talking with Paul Smith (Keyboard/Vocals) as the crowd began to enter The Compound in Phoenix, he explained the band’s joy and motivation for their tour, “It has been quite awhile since we have even played in the United States. It took a lot for us to get here, plenty of practice, lots of time, and a couple of planes and airports. Fans expect a proper show and we prepare and prepare for these moments.”

Most fans think a concert just happens. There are countless hours devoted to making sure every aspect of a live show runs smoothly, let alone an entire tour. The musical art alone is a 24-hour a day job, without the behind the scenes labor. But, with tireless labor, produces a finely crafted finished product.

Rootz Underground has been playing music together for over ten years, yet even before taking their show public, Stephen Newland displayed his devotion to carrying out his musical aspiration since a youth…

“I always wanted to be a part of a big group, playing music for love, captivating an audience with a message, and keep it true. I always had a lot to say… something to stand up for what I thought was right in the world and all the harm within the world too. It’s all about making the true and honest connection and spreading a pure message.”

The Passion…
The pure message Newland and Rootz Underground referenced was that of Rastafari. With Soul Rebel shirts and “chant and plant” garb, their message was visually and vocally profound. None of the six members were shy about the impact of local culture in Kingston and the lyrics, which Bob Marley contributed on their journey - The Pier.org


"Rootz Underground: Movement"

Roots Rock doesn't really have a home in contemporary reggae any more. A good number of singers are keeping the consciousness aspects of the music alive like Tarrus Riley, I-Wayne, and others, but where those artists shine as individuals, it's rarer still to find a full band willing to trod on collectively. Kingston's Rootz Underground is ready and willing to change this, and proof of that is draped all over their debut release, MOVEMENT. The six musicians obviously put a lot of work into the album, which bangs out with the uninhibited energy of a raw demo, though sonically it's all fine-tuned and easy on the ears. Certain cuts like "Hammer," "Victims of a System," and "In the Jungle" are just as hard-hitting musically as they are educationally. Spreading a message of not just love but higher meditation and social responsibility is keen to the group's sound. But Rootz Underground doesn't preach, they teach, and none of the messages on MOVEMENT come off as overbearing. Lead singer Stevie Newland has the rare, raspy, smoked out voice of young Bob Marley meeting Smokey Robinson, and, over one-drop riddims, his singing style is addictive. These cats should definitely make a smash on the global reggae scene in 2008, and if you're curious what else is hot in the genre besides standard dancehall tunes, MOVEMENT is the answer.
- Broward-Palm Beach New Times March 20, 2008


"Rootz Underground - Gravity: The first truly 21st century reggae and forward thinking album I have heard"

For me the year got off rather slowly as far as quality new releases go but now over the past month or so things seem to be improving greatly, and keeping this trend going is the new album from Rootz Underground 'Gravity'.

The band first broke through two years ago with the acclaimed 'Movement', an album that subtly blended reggae rock and jazz. This album again sees this fusion plus some other new tricks picked up after spending a lot of time on the road touring America and Europe. Musicianship on here is impeccable and lead vocalist Stefen Newland's voice has an engaging gravely, soulful tone to it. Unfortunately though at times it can be a bit strained and croaky which makes it a bit uncomfortable to listen to, especially at points on Jah Love Is The Solution, which is a shame as this is a very melodic number that starts with a gentle piano, muted trumpet and strings before breaking into an easy sway.

The beginning of the album is in true roots reggae style with a brief spoken piece from his Majesty Ras Tafari then Power to the People kicks in. This song the band has livicated to the people of Haiti after the terrible earthquake that hit there in January and as you can imagine from the title it's about the struggle to break free of the slavery of capitalism. It starts off with radiating horns before there is a transition from brass to strings as a fiddle takes over and the vocal becomes more broken in an almost version style. This is then followed by the fantastic Unknown Soldier, a deep brooding piece of Rasta, rebel, consciousness. Another strong roots number is Raging Bull, that has a very strong feel of Marley's So Much Trouble In The World.

Modern Day Jericho is the first track on the album to break away from a reggae format and musically has that American MOR soft rock sound. Lyrically though the song contains plenty of Rasta sentiments. This for me is what is most intriguing about the album that even though they are not always using a typical reggae blue print musically to impart their message the lyrical content is always immediately recognizable has having a Rastafarian slant. Take Rastaman Experience a song of spreading Jah love but on top of a very rock, blues, dubby canvas, while Enlighten Me a damning song about Babylonian lies is minimalist electronica.

This band may not be for the reggae purists but I like what I've heard and admire the fact that they are not afraid to mix it up and break free from the confines of sticking religiously to a musical genre. Make no mistake though this is still a reggae album and for me the first truly 21st century reggae and forward thinking album I have heard.
- United Reggae.com


"Album Review: Rootz Underground live in France 2009"

Too much contemporary music from Jamaica seems uninspired and cheaply produced. Examples like Mavado and Vybz Kartel show that neither outstanding musical talent nor ingenious lyrics are prerequisites for economical success in Jamaica‘s music industry. But if you look carefully, you can still find artistes stepping up to defend “traditional” virtues so important to many Roots Reggae lovers in the US and Europe. Rootz Underground is one of them. This band of six, established in 2000, has won the love and support of an ever growing following. Fans love Rootz Underground for their fresh, natural and earthed sound. Rootz Underground‘s music is handmade and highly energetic music, deeply rooted in the 70s Roots Reggae, but updated with recent musical developments of various genres.

Live in France captures well the vibes of a tour in France in October 2009 [photos from Paris 2009], where Rootz Underground were the opening act for Danakil. It already is the second live album of the group (Alive from 2008 was offered for free to download at Rootz‘ homepage). This is a lot as Rootz Underground has recorded only two studio albums so far, but the prodigious, raw energy of their performances justifies that easily. Overlapping tracklists are thus unavoidable.

Live in France starts with Unknown Soldier and Searching. The studio versions of both tunes are on Rootz‘ latest album Gravity. Herb Fields and Farming were already part of Alive, but have been contracted to a medley here. The original versions of Power To The People, History and Fly Away are found on Gravity, too. Love Again has been previously unreleased. This tune alone is a valid reason to buy this album. With Time and Hammer, we find two of the most beautiful tunes from Rootz Underground‘s debut album Movement. Marching On has been taken from Gravity, the album‘s last tune Victim Of The System from Movement. As a hidden bonus, you will find Rastaman Experience.

The recording quality of Live in France should meet even the highest expectations. The excellent French massive should have been featured more prominently sometimes, still the album transports the vibes and energy of a Rootz Underground performance well. Live in France is perfectly suited to recall memories of their shows in the last years or to arouse a thrill of anticipation of upcoming shows of one of today‘s most promising Roots Reggae bands. - Reggaeville.com


"Rootz Underground-Gravity - Review"

It is not often you hear a Roots Reggae Band with all of its members straight from Yard (Stephen Newland: Vocals, Jeffrey Moss-Solomon: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals, Colin Young: Bass, Leon Campbell: Drums, Paul Smith: Keyboards/Vocals, Charles Lazarus: Lead Guitar) considering the state of the music industry in Jamaica. The creative process consists of a producer building a riddim and paying the hottest singers and/or deejays at the moment to 'voice' a tune. Not so in the case of Rootz Underground. It's very easy to tell that this band has been together for 10 years and counting, playing small clubs in Kingston and numerous other venues throughout the island and various parts of the world. With crafty production work, along with a jazzy, roots- rock- reggae feel, it's hard to imagine any music listener, let alone reggae fan, not liking something from their growing catalogue. Their debut album "Movement" hit the North American reggae market in early 2008 with a bang, striking a note with the young generation searching for something more in the music. As they toured the states extensively for the years to follow they spawned a second effort in "Alive," a compilation of tracks recorded throughout their "Reggae Train" tour. To expand their fan base, "Alive" was released as a free digital download in mid 2009.
Rootz Underground's latest effort "Gravity" is solid from start to finish. The session begins with an excerpt from a speech given by Haile Selassie transitioning smoothly into Power To The People, a horn -infused ballad dedicated to the oppressed nations of Africa. "In this yah world wide struggle, ah mi say power to my people". Up next is a powerful roots track addressing the overlooked Unknown Soldier fighting for Rastafari and the philosophies of the movement. The music for this track is reminiscent of "Heathen" by Bob Marley and The Wailers aside from the strong horn section that would make Winston Rodney proud.
Jah Love (is the solution) is a soulful tune with a Rootz one- drop only the Underground could accomplish, stressing "If you don't know Jah, you don't know love."
Modern Day Jericho is an instant stand -out track on the album. The tune builds from jazzy, soft roots with a powerful organ loop to a rock- infused message of "Clinging so long to wrong, you cant let go." Stressing the importance of rebellion against the wicked system placed on society by the powers that be. "Can't let the warrior down, our warriors stand strong."
Stephen passes the vocal torch over to rhythm guitarist Jeffrey Moss-Solomon on the track History. A gripping story of government corruption and of a society persuaded by so -called leaders, Solomon's delivery is powerful and militant amidst Leon Campbell's hard- hitting drums. Rastaman Experience will catch the ears of almost any music listener. It's set to a heavy rock guitar and infectious bass line that only Rootz Underground could birth. Asking Who is to be blamed for the endless killings and struggling? "This is a piece about the rastaman experience/ I walk the streets of the pain, the song remains the same."
"Gravity" turns slightly upbeat on a tune consisting of a rock guitar loop, and jazzy undertones sure to attract non -reggae listeners. The melodica solo is a great addition to a positive message about never stopping the Rootz Underground movement until they Fly Away from babylon.
A flawless transition takes you down the Streets. This powerful Boomshot addresses the petty violence that plagues the streets of the entire world and begs the future generation to "not be blind and read between the lines. Jah love reveals the sign." President Mandela leads you to the next track addressing the world leaders as Raging Bull. The music for this track is reminiscent of early Steel Pulse, a sound soothing to the ears of any reggae listener. The lyrics are thrown with fire straight from Stephen's soul.
Enlighten Me is a solid effort on a dub, pop sound reminiscent of Pato Banton in the days wi - The Reggae Review


"Rootz Underground take 'Releaf tour to Redway Frontman discusses upcoming third LP"

Set once again to bring the sounds of the underground to Redway, ultra-smooth Jamaican reggae six-piece Rootz Underground will play those subterranean basslines at the Mateel Community Center on Friday night. Oregon psych-reggae trio Indubious and Ukiah reggae-rock quartet Top Shelf will warm up.

”Our No. 1 priority and purpose is music, but clearly in Humboldt County our auxiliary purpose is to smoke the highest herbs that our herbalist friends have to offer us,” said Stephen Newland, 'Underground's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.

Formed in Jamaica in 2000, Rootz Underground released the debut LP in 2008, the bass-booming and melodic roots-reggae-rock-filled “Movement.” They then followed that up with 2010's “Gravity,” which saw the group maintain their jazzy reggae-rock sound coupled with fusions featuring minimalist electronics, blues and soul. They also have two live records out, 2008's free and downloadable “Alive” and last year's “Live in France.”

The band is not just good -- they're great -- and with said greatness comes the ability to garner worldwide popularity. Newland was able to explain his views on the difference between having a huge fanbase and a jump to the mainstream.

”We're happy to be underground,” he said. “The underground is lovely and in the modern world the mainstream sometimes can be ugly. The underground is getting bigger because on the surface
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things are going wrong. We're not battling to be in the mainstream, we're just battling to reach all our underground people.”

Newland, bassist Colin Young, drummer Leon Campbell, keyboardist and backup vocalist Paul Smith, rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist Jeffrey Moss-Solomon and lead guitarist Charles Lazarus make up the group that has been around for 12 years and running.

The band's next and third full-length release will be titled “Return of the Righteous: Volume 1.”

”It's a very eclectic collection of songs that will have some collaborative efforts on it this time as well,” Newland said. “We're working with some of our original team members from 'Movement,' Wayne Armond from Chalice, Dean Fraser from Black Soil, the great (dancehall producer) Bobby Digital and a few more secret weapons. It's a more grown-up Rootz Underground and we're singing about key issues. The main thing is that the 'Return of the Righteous' is not like 'we are the righteous man' but return of the righteousness in terms of the righteous vibration, return of the righteous feeling, return of the righteous music and return of the righteous spirit.”

The new record could possibly be slightly influenced by legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon.

”Paul Simon's 'Graceland' was the last album I listened to from cover to cover -- it inspires me and has inspired me in the past at different stages,” Newland said. “When I listen it's like a brand new album. (Simon) is one of the musicians who I really love and who really has a lot of feeling. The African themes, the combination with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the sounds of Africa and Paul Simon's voice really make 'Graceland' an epic, not just collection of songs -- a really spiritual album.”

And, with Africa in mind, Newland and his band are currently working on The Africa Project Jamaica, a collaborative project benefiting famine and drought victims in the Horn of Africa.

Also, the band has been deeply involved with another positive project, Rootz Global Releaf.

”It started as a seed, growing as an idea where we give fans concert tickets, CDs and T-shirts in exchange for planting trees,” Newland said. “We GPS chart them and we start a little forest on our website or potential forest.”

Through the project, the band is promoting what they call “oxygen framing.”

”The bigger the leaves the better it is for the oxygen replenishment and the carbon dioxide usage,” Newland said.

The tour hitting Redway is known as the “Rootz Releaf Tour.” Fans can get involved at rootzunderground.com/releaf - Times Standard


"Jamaican sextet Rootz Underground revitalizes retro-reggae"

Kingston, Jamaica is deservedly famous as the birthplace of many celebrated musical styles including ska, dub and — obviously — reggae. But it has been a hotbed of dance hall and other club hybrids for decades with next to no pure roots reggae artists of note calling it home.

Rootz Underground thinks the times are changing.

Officially created in 2000 out of various formations existing since 1994, the Kingston sextet plays pure reggae in the style that flourished in the music’s 1970s heyday.

Beginning with its debut album Movement (2008) and followup Gravity (2010), the band has built an international following through tireless touring. Both as headliners and backing legends as varied as Ziggy Marley and Alpha Blondy to Toots & the Maytals, the group enjoys a reputation as a serious live act without a whisper of retro around it.

“Don’t get me wrong, I think '90s dance hall is the s---, but we were just at that age where the penny just dropped on looking outside the Top 40 on the radio and what else was there,” says lead guitarist Charles Lazarus. “And we became really influenced by all these killer reggae bands from Jamaica and elsewhere like Steel Pulse, Black Uhuru and, of course, Bob [Marley].”

Cutting its chops in its homeland, Rootz Underground built a solid following and emerged as a key act in a revitalized reggae movement taking place in South America, Africa and in North American jam band circles. Things at home are on the rise though, as a month-long free concert series in one of Kingston’s main parks sponsored by the Jamaica Recording Industry Association packed them in with live reggae recently.

“When we first started playing around Kingston, truth is, it wasn’t ready for that. It was a DJ scene and even I think I would’ve been a bit annoyed hearing a band. But this time at the park it was just band after band playing roots reggae. That sound, it’s back.”

Like any crew, the songs on Movement and Gravity differ. The newer album showcases the soulful and meditative vocals of lead singer Stephen Newland better than the debut and move from electro-tinged groovers such as “Raging Bull” to the lighter lover’s rock vibe of “Waiting for You.” Lazarus says each album is a snapshot of where everyone is at the time of recording and they are far more confident.

“Right from the start with Movement, the feeling was ‘we’re from Jamaica and we’re going to play reggae? Really?’ So we were always fitting in pieces of this and slivers of that into the songwriting on the album. Then we got out of Jamaica and travelled the world and saw the impact of reggae on it and decided to make Gravity this epic reggae album, a real speaker shaker.”

The key to it all working so well was having producer Rory Stonelove on deck. Known for his clean sound, Stonelove and the band butted heads “a lot” during the sessions. But as Lazarus notes, if you liked 20 per cent of Movement, you’re going to dig 100 per cent of Gravity in large part because of the production. For all its meticulous sheen, it comes closer to the live sound in the end.

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Jamaican+sextet+Rootz+Underground+revitalizes+retro+reggae/6437196/story.html#ixzz1tZYBXjey
- The Vancouver Province


"Rootz Underground - Movement review"

While this Kingston, Jamaica-based collective may be termed "reggae rock," they take the best elements of both to compile what is arguably one of the most impressive debuts of recent times. Over the course of 73 minutes they infuse electric guitars and other jazz-based instruments (saxophones, keys) into the obvious necessity of reggae tradition: the low end. It's not surprising, however, when your bassist is nicknamed "Babylon Headache." Fueled by the unforgettable voice of Stephen Newland — part revolutionary poetics, part lover's rock — Movement reminds us that reggae evolves while remaining "internally" recognizable. The slow skank of "Time Is An Illusion" induces a masterful lyrical hypnosis, while "Herb Fields" plays off a rather familiar "Jammin" riddim in their most celebrated track. The rhythmic pattern leading off "In the Jungle" is a praiseful throwback to poets of liberation and social freedom. The song, as this band, is taking the bold next step forward to freedom. - Conscious Choice Magazine. April 2008


"Rootz Underground- MOVEMENT"

Roots Rock doesn't really have a home in contemporary reggae any more. A good number of singers are keeping the consciousness aspects of the music alive like Tarrus Riley, I-Wayne, and others, but where those artists shine as individuals, it's rarer still to find a full band willing to trod on collectively. Kingston's Rootz Underground is ready and willing to change this, and proof of that is draped all over their debut release, MOVEMENT. The six musicians obviously put a lot of work into the album, which bangs out with the uninhibited energy of a raw demo, though sonically it's all fine-tuned and easy on the ears. Certain cuts like "Hammer," "Victims of a System," and "In the Jungle" are just as hard-hitting musically as they are educationally. Spreading a message of not just love but higher meditation and social responsibility is keen to the group's sound. But Rootz Underground doesn't preach, they teach, and none of the messages on MOVEMENT come off as overbearing. Lead singer Stevie Newland has the rare, raspy, smoked out voice of young Bob Marley meeting Smokey Robinson, and, over one-drop riddims, his singing style is addictive. These cats should definitely make a smash on the global reggae scene in 2008, and if you're curious what else is hot in the genre besides standard dancehall tunes, MOVEMENT is the answer. - Broward-Palm Beach New Times March 20, 2008


"Rootz Underground 'Gravity' Review"

It is not often you hear a Roots Reggae Band with all of its members straight from Yard (Stephen Newland: Vocals, Jeffrey Moss-Solomon: Rhythm Guitar/Vocals, Colin Young: Bass, Leon Campbell: Drums, Paul Smith: Keyboards/Vocals, Charles Lazarus: Lead Guitar) considering the state of the music industry in Jamaica. The creative process consists of a producer building a riddim and paying the hottest singers and/or deejays at the moment to 'voice' a tune. Not so in the case of Rootz Underground. It's very easy to tell that this band has been together for 10 years and counting, playing small clubs in Kingston and numerous other venues throughout the island and various parts of the world. With crafty production work, along with a jazzy, roots- rock- reggae feel, it's hard to imagine any music listener, let alone reggae fan, not liking something from their growing catalogue. Their debut album "Movement" hit the North American reggae market in early 2008 with a bang, striking a note with the young generation searching for something more in the music. As they toured the states extensively for the years to follow they spawned a second effort in "Alive," a compilation of tracks recorded throughout their "Reggae Train" tour. To expand their fan base, "Alive" was released as a free digital download in mid 2009.
Rootz Underground's latest effort "Gravity" is solid from start to finish. The session begins with an excerpt from a speech given by Haile Selassie transitioning smoothly into Power To The People, a horn -infused ballad dedicated to the oppressed nations of Africa. "In this yah world wide struggle, ah mi say power to my people". Up next is a powerful roots track addressing the overlooked Unknown Soldier fighting for Rastafari and the philosophies of the movement. The music for this track is reminiscent of "Heathen" by Bob Marley and The Wailers aside from the strong horn section that would make Winston Rodney proud.
Jah Love (is the solution) is a soulful tune with a Rootz one- drop only the Underground could accomplish, stressing "If you don't know Jah, you don't know love."
Modern Day Jericho is an instant stand -out track on the album. The tune builds from jazzy, soft roots with a powerful organ loop to a rock- infused message of "Clinging so long to wrong, you cant let go." Stressing the importance of rebellion against the wicked system placed on society by the powers that be. "Can't let the warrior down, our warriors stand strong."
Stephen passes the vocal torch over to rhythm guitarist Jeffrey Moss-Solomon on the track History. A gripping story of government corruption and of a society persuaded by so -called leaders, Solomon's delivery is powerful and militant amidst Leon Campbell's hard- hitting drums. Rastaman Experience will catch the ears of almost any music listener. It's set to a heavy rock guitar and infectious bass line that only Rootz Underground could birth. Asking Who is to be blamed for the endless killings and struggling? "This is a piece about the rastaman experience/ I walk the streets of the pain, the song remains the same."

"Gravity" turns slightly upbeat on a tune consisting of a rock guitar loop, and jazzy undertones sure to attract non -reggae listeners. The melodica solo is a great addition to a positive message about never stopping the Rootz Underground movement until they Fly Away from babylon.

A flawless transition takes you down the Streets. This powerful Boomshot addresses the petty violence that plagues the streets of the entire world and begs the future generation to "not be blind and read between the lines. Jah love reveals the sign." President Mandela leads you to the next track addressing the world leaders as Raging Bull. The music for this track is reminiscent of early Steel Pulse, a sound soothing to the ears of any reggae listener. The lyrics are thrown with fire straight from Stephen's soul.

Enlighten Me is a solid effort on a dub, pop sound reminiscent of Pato Banton in the d - The Reggae Review


"Rootz Reggae's Revival"

from the June 21, 2008 Billboard article by Patricia Meschino:
Billboard proclaims six albums that heralded the roots-reggae resurgence. This includes Parables by Tarrus Riley, Movement by Rootz Underground, The Strong One from Etana, Diedem by Taj Weekes and Adowa, From August Town by Duane Stephenson, and Mission In Progress by Morgan Heritage.
- Jamaica Gleaner/Billboard Magazine


"Rootz Underground Take Releaf Tour to Redway"

Set once again to bring the sounds of the underground to Redway, ultra-smooth Jamaican reggae six-piece Rootz Underground will play those subterranean basslines at the Mateel Community Center on Friday night. Oregon psych-reggae trio Indubious and Ukiah reggae-rock quartet Top Shelf will warm up.

”Our No. 1 priority and purpose is music, but clearly in Humboldt County our auxiliary purpose is to smoke the highest herbs that our herbalist friends have to offer us,” said Stephen Newland, 'Underground's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist.

Formed in Jamaica in 2000, Rootz Underground released the debut LP in 2008, the bass-booming and melodic roots-reggae-rock-filled “Movement.” They then followed that up with 2010's “Gravity,” which saw the group maintain their jazzy reggae-rock sound coupled with fusions featuring minimalist electronics, blues and soul. They also have two live records out, 2008's free and downloadable “Alive” and last year's “Live in France.”

The band is not just good -- they're great -- and with said greatness comes the ability to garner worldwide popularity. Newland was able to explain his views on the difference between having a huge fanbase and a jump to the mainstream.

”We're happy to be underground,” he said. “The underground is lovely and in the modern world the mainstream sometimes can be ugly. The underground is getting bigger because on the surface
Advertisement
things are going wrong. We're not battling to be in the mainstream, we're just battling to reach all our underground people.”

Newland, bassist Colin Young, drummer Leon Campbell, keyboardist and backup vocalist Paul Smith, rhythm guitarist and backup vocalist Jeffrey Moss-Solomon and lead guitarist Charles Lazarus make up the group that has been around for 12 years and running.

The band's next and third full-length release will be titled “Return of the Righteous: Volume 1.”

”It's a very eclectic collection of songs that will have some collaborative efforts on it this time as well,” Newland said. “We're working with some of our original team members from 'Movement,' Wayne Armond from Chalice, Dean Fraser from Black Soil, the great (dancehall producer) Bobby Digital and a few more secret weapons. It's a more grown-up Rootz Underground and we're singing about key issues. The main thing is that the 'Return of the Righteous' is not like 'we are the righteous man' but return of the righteousness in terms of the righteous vibration, return of the righteous feeling, return of the righteous music and return of the righteous spirit.”

The new record could possibly be slightly influenced by legendary singer-songwriter Paul Simon.

”Paul Simon's 'Graceland' was the last album I listened to from cover to cover -- it inspires me and has inspired me in the past at different stages,” Newland said. “When I listen it's like a brand new album. (Simon) is one of the musicians who I really love and who really has a lot of feeling. The African themes, the combination with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the sounds of Africa and Paul Simon's voice really make 'Graceland' an epic, not just collection of songs -- a really spiritual album.”

And, with Africa in mind, Newland and his band are currently working on The Africa Project Jamaica, a collaborative project benefiting famine and drought victims in the Horn of Africa.

Also, the band has been deeply involved with another positive project, Rootz Global Releaf.

”It started as a seed, growing as an idea where we give fans concert tickets, CDs and T-shirts in exchange for planting trees,” Newland said. “We GPS chart them and we start a little forest on our website or potential forest.”

Through the project, the band is promoting what they call “oxygen framing.”

”The bigger the leaves the better it is for the oxygen replenishment and the carbon dioxide usage,” Newland said.

The tour hitting Redway is known as the “Rootz Releaf Tour.” Fans can get involved at rootzunderground.com/releaf - Times Standard


"Jamaican sexted Rootz Underground revitalizes retro-reggae"

Kingston, Jamaica is deservedly famous as the birthplace of many celebrated musical styles including ska, dub and — obviously — reggae. But it has been a hotbed of dance hall and other club hybrids for decades with next to no pure roots reggae artists of note calling it home.

Rootz Underground thinks the times are changing.

Officially created in 2000 out of various formations existing since 1994, the Kingston sextet plays pure reggae in the style that flourished in the music’s 1970s heyday.

Beginning with its debut album Movement (2008) and followup Gravity (2010), the band has built an international following through tireless touring. Both as headliners and backing legends as varied as Ziggy Marley and Alpha Blondy to Toots & the Maytals, the group enjoys a reputation as a serious live act without a whisper of retro around it.

- The Vancouver Province


Discography

Albums:
MOVEMENT - 2008
GRAVITY - 2010

Single:
RAIN - 2012

Music videos:
Rain
Unknown Soldier
Victims of a System
Hammer

Photos

Bio

Rootz Underground represents Jamaica’s most recent contribution to the international Reggae & World music scene. While undeniably rooted in reggae the six-member outfit uses their collective passion to create a sound that pushes boundaries and defies being boxed into a single genre. Electric yet organic, gritty and soulful; the band manages to harness the essence that the reggae aficionado was captivated by in the 1970’s while connecting the youth to the pure messages related to social justice, the environment and the freedom of creative expression combined with an explosive live performance.

The spring 2012 Rootz Releaf tour is part of the effort the band initiated which encourages fans to plant trees which are documented through a global mapping system on the rootzunderground.com website. For each tree planted, fans receive entrance to shows, CD's and other gifts for participation in the initiative. Also part of the initiative are the Rootz Garden charity concert series held in Jamaica that raise awareness and necessary funds for programs to teach soil and plant cultivation, recycling and zero-waste practices, with school age youth on the island.

With over a decade sharing the stage together, along with the release of both studio albums MOVEMENT (2008) and GRAVITY (2010) Rootz Underground have managed to build a strong international fan base that spans across and beyond the 22 countries they have visited in not just reggae but also rock and jam band circles. They have also released a full length live album, ALIVE which they initially launched by offering for free and exceeded 80,000 downloads, at present the live set is available as a paid download.

As reggae continues to rise in popularity throughout the world and as a genre it is played and embraced by all cultures, Rootz Underground ensures an undiluted dose of what is happening in modern roots rock reggae style music. The band has toured heavily in both North America and Europe for many years gracing events such as Europe's Summerjam, Reggae Sun Ska, Roskilde, Garorock, and Ostroda Reggae Festivals, as well as the American events: Reggae on The River, The Raggamuffins Festival, Earthdance, Harmony Festival and Sierra Nevada World Music Festival.

The spring 2012 Rootz Releaf tour made stops at some of the most prestigious venues in the Western U.S. and Canada including The Compound Grill in Phoenix, The Independent in San Francisco and Venue in Vancouver. Rootz Underground completed the tour in a headline appearance at the Austin Reggae Festival with 20,000 in attendance. The band did numerous interviews with radio, print and on-line publications throughout the recent lag of the Rootz Releaf tour, highlights included a Backstage spotlight story for The Pier.org and an in-studio live performance at KEXP in Seattle.

At home in Jamaica, Rootz Underground has made their mark with performances ranging from foundation festivals such as Reggae Sunsplash, Reggae Sumfest, Rebel Salute and Welcome to Jamrock to mixed format shows such as The Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. They have also managed to maintain their popularity in the resurging live music scene with regular appearances as they mold their touring shows against Kingston’s discerning audiences.

Under the" Rootz Garden" banner the band has organized a series of concerts that benefit several charities; the Nature Preservation Foundation Jamaica, The McCam Child Development Centre, Jamaica School for the Deaf and the Rootz Releaf Program. Planned as five concerts throughout 2012 this offers the band a platform to perform while home in Jamaica with some of Jamaica's greatest artists such as Toots and the Maytals and The Mystic Revealers in a "sunken garden setting" at the Hope Botanical Gardens in Kingston.

The modern reggae of Rootz Underground blends Trance, Hip Hop,Dub, and Ska with nuances from R&B, Jazz, Latin, Rock and music from those who helped spawn the Punk movement to forge a new s