Search - Groundation :: Young Tree

Keepers Of The Flame

Gavin B. | St. Louis MO | 12/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The rise of the dancehall deejays and the slackness style popularized by Yellowman finally overtook "roots and conscious" music in the early 80s as the dominant Jamaican reggae style. Few roots reggae bands of any consequence have emerged from Jamaica since, indeed, many of the standard bearers of the reggae revolution of the 70's have passed to the land of milk and honey. One never thinks of reggae music as a high risk profession, but many of Marley's generation were claimed by the Almighty, all too early. There is a handful of young American bands that have kept roots and conscious reggae alive, much like a small group of young, talented and white British musicians devoted themselves to the propagation of American blues in the late 60s. San Francisco's Groundation lead by Harrison Stafford and "Iron" Ryan Newman are arguably the finest of these American roots revival bands.Harrison Stafford is a young academic who teaches the only college level accredited course in reggae history. Stafford's vocals will fool you. I wasn't aware that he was white when I first heard Groundation and his rough-hewn vocal style resembles that of Joseph Hill of Culture, or Albert Griffiths of the Gladiators. Despite their there formative years as students at Somona State University, Groundation certainly is not a bunch of white rastafarian dilletantes. Groundation delivers the goods. If Emeniem and the Beastie Boys can be great rappers, it's not much of a stretch that Groundation can play great reggae. Apparently at least two reggae giants agree; elder statesman Don Carlos and the deep roots vocal duet, the Congos are featured performers on Groundation's third album, "Herbron Gate". This album, "Young Tree" is their first which was orginally released in 1999 and remastered for wider distribution in 2002. Each cut is a killer, to use a Jamaican expression, but the standout is "Groundation Chant" which cuts a groove so deep that you have to get up, rise up and dance. Authenic reggae may never be restored to it's rightful place as the national music of Jamaica. Young Jamaican performers like Anthony B. give us hope, but for my money, Groundation is the keeper of the flame. "Young Tree", and Groundation's third album "Herbron Gate" are essentials CDs for fans of the roots and conscious reggae of the 70s and early 80s."

Best Roots since Marley/Tosh/Burning Spear

M. Lewis | New York, NY USA | 02/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you appreciate great roots reggae, you need to buy the entire set of Groundation albums. Each one is a classic. The vocals and band are so tight. Best non-Jamaican roots band, period!"

The best I ever experienced

Blaison Christophe | France | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was never a reggae fan, I enjoyed off course some Bob Marley, Gladiators or Black Huru classics, but this...it is the aaaabsolute soul killer (groundation chant for example)! The Doors were for me the top of the jazz rock fusion, with magnificient dark, deep, mythical atmospheres. This is its reggae counterpart : smooth, deep and mystical. Astonishing, a must have!"