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“A Miracle” from the Groundation vibrations!
Reggae | Wednesday 12th November 2014 | Izaradz
The 9-strong American reggae band have just released their 7th album, “A Miracle”, in a loyal tribute to the master that is Bob Marley and the immortality of his influence on roots music. The full studio collection features Marcia Griffiths and Judy Mowatt who were members of Marley’s notable backing vocal trio, the I Threes, in the 70s.
Groundation is a 9-piece reggae band from Northern California, formed in 1988 by Harrison Stafford, Marcus Urani and Ryan Newman. The band grew upon the foundations of the Sanoma State University’s Jazz Program and after over a decade of additions and subtractions of various members and instruments, Groundation has accomplished an original and contemporary sound that fuses roots reggae, jazz and polyrhythmic African beats.
Honing in on the authentic analogue form of production, the fusion band veers away from popular digital methods. Stafford explained, “No digital, we don’t work with sythesisers. Just like in the 1970s, we stick to that format.” Just like in classic jazz performances, the band is known for its live improvisation at their electric concerts, with the hearty trumpet and trombone supporting the resonating harmonies of the female chorus.
In the last decade, Groundation has collaborated with notable roots protagonists, such as Don Carlos, IJahman Levi and The Congos. Furthermore, they are also a band that takes pride in their commitment to making a change and spreading the word about “unjust social systems”. Their website includes tabs with information about “Shrinking your footprint” alongside “Must Have Albums” and “Education”, teaching you the history of reggae music.
Stafford explains that their latest album is an ode “to the female spirit, to the Empress” and “looking at life as a beautiful thing of endless possibilities”. Not only that, but the artwork of the album portrays a woman with child; the image along with the title, “A Miracle”, is in fact a reflection of Stafford’s own little miracle coming into the world.
Their music and identity is bursting full of personal stories and messages, interlinked with their mission to push forward the genre of roots reggae into new places. Groundation are currently touring Europe promoting the album, but are sure to be back in the UK in the new year to grace us with their explosive performances.
Huffington Post, “Groundation is an epic live band”
Rolling Stone, “Groundation has gained fans around the world for their jazz influenced roots reggae. [Their dubs] ad a hypnotic resonance to their groove-based songs”
